Centuries from Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay yesterday helped India reach 347-6 at stumps on the rain-hit opening day of Afghanistan’s bruising introduction to Test cricket in Bengaluru as the team capped their astonishing rise from war and refugee camps to joining the sport’s elite.
Test cricket’s newest team were on the receiving end of some aggressive batting as Dhawan, who smashed 107, and Vijay, who made 105, put on a 168-run opening stand after the hosts elected to bat first.
However, Afghanistan’s bowlers struck back in the final session.
Photo: AP
Fast bowler Yamin Ahmadzai, who got his team’s first Test scalp after getting Dhawan, took two wickets.
Fellow paceman Wafadar, spin sensation Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman picked up a wicket each.
Hardik Pandya, on 10, and Ravichandran Ashwin, on 7, were at the crease when play ended after an extended final session, but only 78 overs were possible due to two rain interruptions.
Afghanistan skipper Asghar Stanikzai called it a “very proud moment” as he strode onto the field at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for the toss, won by opposite number Ajinkya Rahane.
“All the guys have first-class experience. Inshallah [God willing], we can do well,” the 30-year-old batsman said.
Afghanistan have become one of only 12 nations sanctioned to play Tests, the five-day format considered cricket’s peak, after defying heavy odds to emerge as a force in the game.
However, the hosts gave no quarter to Afghanistan’s bowlers, reaching 264-1 when rain stopped play for the second time in the final session.
Dhawan galloped to his century in just 87 deliveries, becoming the first Indian batsman to reach three figures on the opening day before lunch.
Dhawan hit 19 fours and three sixes as he set about the Afghanistan bowlers, including Khan, smashing three boundaries in the teenager’s opening over to bring up his 50.
However, Dhawan also became Afghanistan’s first Test wicket when paceman Yamin Ahmadzai had him caught by Mohammad Nabi in the slips early in the second session.
Lokesh Rahul, batting on 44, then joined Vijay to continue India’s momentum as they put on an unbeaten 96-run partnership for the second wicket.
Most cricket-loving Afghans were watching the match on TV back home as they prepared for a three-day public holiday for Eid al-Fitr.
Afghans took to social media to celebrate the start of the Test, which came amid a government ceasefire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Earlier, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani sent his congratulations for what he called a “historic day.”
“I am proud of the men who championed cricket in Afghanistan in the dawn of the century and believed in themselves that one day Afghanistan will play against the best in the world,” Ghani said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter: “May sports continue to bring our people closer and strengthen ties.”
Afghan cricket grew out of refugee camps in Pakistan, where many families were based after they fled conflict in the 1980s and 1990s.
The national team have made giant strides against much richer and more stable countries, despite unrest at home that has forced them to train in India since 2015.
Afghanistan last year achieved full member status of the International Cricket Council, making them one of only 12 Test teams.
They gained one-day international status in 2009 and have qualified for their second 50-over World Cup, which is to be held in England and Wales next year.
They have also been part of four Twenty20 World Cups.
Last week they secured a Twenty20 series sweep over Bangladesh helped by 19-year-old spin bowler Khan, the standout star of this year’s Indian Premier League.
“The terror in our home area meant we did not have access to an education while growing up. My parents even forbid my siblings and I to play cricket outside our home,” Khan, one of 12 children, said in an interview with Afghan media. “But no amount of war stopped me from sneaking out to play cricket with my brothers.”
While Afghanistan’s successes have come in short formats of cricket, they must now prove they can stand the physical and mental challenge of a five-day match.
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