Cricket World Cup: Scotland vs Afghanistan report - Afghanistan prove folly of ICC myopia

“We are the Afghans. The mighty, mighty Afghans.” Here was the familiar refrain of the English Barmy Army adapted for a different side. A vociferous Afghan contingent – some who had emigrated from Afghanistan, others who had just taken to supporting the team – took to the banks of the plush University Oval in Dunedin yesterday to implore the side to a maiden World Cup victory.

We may never see a game like this again in a World Cup. Despite sterling performances by all four associate nations, and a petition with more than 12,000 signatures, the plan is still for the 2019 World Cup in England to be limited to 10 nations, making cricket the only sport to contract the size of its flagship event.

Giles Clarke, about to switch to a new post as president of the ECB, is “hell-bent” on a 10-team tournament to maximise revenue, according to a senior International Cricket Council source.

So far at this tournament the closest game between two Test-playing nations remains South Africa’s 62-run victory over Zimbabwe. Games between Test-playing nations and associates have been closer – including Ireland’s four-wicket win over the West Indies, Sri Lanka’s four-wicket win over Afghanistan and New Zealand’s three-wicket win over Scotland. And closest of all have been the two all-associate match-ups.

On Wednesday, Ireland defeated the UAE by two wickets in a pulsating run chase in Brisbane. Yesterday Afghanistan took on Scotland in a frenetic encounter.

Both sides made rudimentary errors, but this enthralling game was still a testament to the remarkable work of the ICC development programme – work that the England and Wales Cricket Board, in cahoots with Cricket Australia and the Board of Control for Cricket in India, threatens to undo.

The cabal which took over the ICC last year further has enriched itself by halving the proportion of ICC revenue awarded to the 95 associate and affiliate members.

Here, Afghanistan and Scotland once again exposed that myopia in a wildly oscillating game. Scotland were cruising at 93 for 3 before Matt Machan fell attempting a heave through the offside. Afghanistan’s fast bowlers then reduced Scotland to 144 for 8 before Ali Evans and Majid Haj lifted Scotland to 210.

Afghanistan’s chase seemed serene, but they collapsed from 85 for 2 to 97 for 7. Samiullah Shenwari inspired a rally and when he heaved three sixes in four balls the game appeared won, but he was caught attempting a fifth, to leave the last pair needing 19.

With four balls left, Afghanistan’s No 11 Shapoor Zadran nudged a ball into the leg side from Iain Wardlaw. Zadran attempted to run when no opportunity existed. On realising the error, Matt Machan had the stumps in his sight. Hit and the long wait for Scotland’s first World Cup win would end. His underarm throw missed by the length of Shapoor’s overgrown hair.

The very next ball, Wardlaw produced a similar delivery to Zadran, only one that offered more room, allowing him to flick the ball past short fine leg and the celebrations began.

After discarding his bat and helmet, Zadran slumped to his knees in joy. If few could fail to be moved by the triumph of a side forged in Pakistani refugee camps, that group seems to include those who run the sport.