India's role in Afghanistan's cricketing rise: From providing grounds to becoming main sponsor

Afghanistan continue to defy the odds at the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, securing a remarkable eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in a game that has left the latter teetering on the edge of elimination. This thrilling encounter unfolded at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai, where the challenging pitch made a target of 283 runs seem like a herculean task. However, Afghanistan's young guns rose to the occasion, exposing the vulnerabilities in Pakistan's bowling lineup.

3 things you need to know

• Afghanistan defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in Chennai 
• This win marked Afghanistan's second triumph in the World Cup 2023 
• It is also Afghanistan's highest run-chase in the history of ODI cricket

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The Afghan openers set the stage for their historic chase, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz scoring a brilliant 65 off 53 balls, while Ibrahim Zadran contributing 87 runs from 113 balls. Their partnership of 130 runs laid the perfect foundation for Afghanistan's pursuit of victory. This memorable win was Afghanistan's highest run-chase in their history of 50-over cricket, signifying their growing prowess on the international stage.

This victory marked Afghanistan's second triumph in the tournament, with their earlier win coming against the defending champions England in New Delhi. As a result, Afghanistan now find themselves in the sixth position in the mid-table standings, with four valuable points in hand. On the other hand, Pakistan's woes in the competition continue. With three consecutive defeats, they are now precariously perched at the fifth position. Another loss could effectively seal their exit from the tournament.

India's contribution to Afghanistan's cricketing journey

Afghanistan's journey to become an ICC full-member team has been a remarkable one. Due to the turbulent situation in their home country, they shifted their base to India in 2015, utilising facilities at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Noida. 

This move was made possible through an MoU signed between the Afghanistan Cricket Board, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority. The BCCI's support went beyond providing grounds; Indian cricketing stalwarts like Lalchand Rajput and Manoj Prabhakar served as coaches for the Afghan team, and the BCCI even invited then-Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani to witness Afghanistan's inaugural Test match.

India's significant contribution to Afghanistan's cricketing journey extends to sponsorship as well. In the 2019 ICC World Cup, Amul, the renowned Indian dairy giant, became the main sponsor for the Afghan cricket team, a tradition that continues to this day. Amul, with its two-decade history of exporting milk powders and baby food to Afghanistan, stands as a symbol of unwavering support for Afghan cricket. The relationship between the two nations in the world of cricket is a testament to the power of sport in transcending borders and political boundaries.

Afghanistan's win against Pakistan not only energises their World Cup campaign but serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination of a nation with a rich cricketing heritage that has overcome immense challenges to shine on the global stage.