Although Afghanistan is still outperforming expectations, what has kept them motivated this World Cup?
Afghanistan have improved dramatically from one World Cup win in two to a stunning three wins in this one. The World Cup 2023 presents a momentous occasion for the team, which was once renowned for its ability to take down giants, to finally live up to its moniker. This squad is distinct due to a noticeable variation in approach. They are no longer easily rattled, and they are unaffected by the pressure of playing against more illustrious teams. It’s just a string of sequential displays of professional performance.
After causing what might be considered the most significant upset of the tournament by defeating England, they only continued to impress, first slaying Pakistan and then adding Sri Lanka to their hitlist.
Afghanistan is currently a hot topic in the cricket world, and with good reason. They have demonstrated how far they have come with a string of energetic performances against two Asian powerhouses and the current World Champions. Afghanistan’s only notable moments were a tie against India at the Asia Cup 2018 and a near-victory against Pakistan at the sub-continent event the previous year. However, it doesn’t seem like there are any jitters this time around.
Despite all odds, they have managed to stay in the running for the semifinals and are dominating their opponents. Their fearless batting style is just one of the many factors that could explain why, what, when, where, and how this incredible turnaround occurred.