When Afghanistan edged out Scotland in a thrilling encounter at the University Oval in Dunedin on Thursday, the remote New Zealand town instantly secured its place in Afghan memory. This was the war-torn country's first-ever World Cup victory and it sent people dancing in the streets of Kabul and other cities.
Scotland lost wickets at regular intervals and got out for a pretty meager 210 runs. Still, the Scots got the upper hand early on by reducing Afghanistan to 97 for 7 in 24 overs. Afghanistan held its nerve. Samiullah Shenwari played a calm and collected innings of 96 runs with batsmen 9 and 10 ‒ Hamid Hassan and Shapoor Zadran ‒ making crucial runs and taking the team over the line with one wicket and three balls to spare.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was among the first to congratulate the team.
It seemed like everyone, including both the Taliban and government forces, erupted in celebrations with gun salutes and cheers.
However, the celebrations took place against a somber backdrop. The same day, Afghanistan was hit with one of the worst avalanches it had ever recorded, which left over 200 people dead.
Scotland lost wickets at regular intervals and got out for a pretty meager 210 runs. Still, the Scots got the upper hand early on by reducing Afghanistan to 97 for 7 in 24 overs. Afghanistan held its nerve. Samiullah Shenwari played a calm and collected innings of 96 runs with batsmen 9 and 10 ‒ Hamid Hassan and Shapoor Zadran ‒ making crucial runs and taking the team over the line with one wicket and three balls to spare.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was among the first to congratulate the team.
Congratulations. It was a fantastic and spirited performance from our boys. Well done! We are very proud of them. #CWC15
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) February 26, 2015
It seemed like everyone, including both the Taliban and government forces, erupted in celebrations with gun salutes and cheers.
The moment the winning runs were hit #AFGvSCO pic.twitter.com/OG7hXuXm8I
— Mooney (@gobbledygoo) February 26, 2015
A enjoyable wave in my country, Celebration in #Afghanistan after #TeamAfghanistan win over Scotland in #BlueTigers pic.twitter.com/kw36RREiSJ
— True love (@3AsianTigers) February 26, 2015
People celebrated the victory of their today #AFGvSCO victory of whole nation. Cricket can bring u together. pic.twitter.com/a7qMsiwxad
— Akash (@aks0078) February 26, 2015
#Afghan Cricket fans dancing in central #Ghazni province after Afghanistan win over @CricketScotland pic.twitter.com/CyiB3jjMec
— Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) February 26, 2015
celebrations in eastern #Jalalabad city, victory in @cricketworldcup @ACBofficials #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/jX0xJfZplo
— Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) February 26, 2015
Fans in eastern #Paktia province celebrations victory in @cricketworldcup @ACBofficials #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/o7VvARQwKN
— Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) February 26, 2015
Afghans in the streets of #Kabul celebrate the first ever win in #Cricket World Cup #AFGvSCO #CWC15 @ACBofficials pic.twitter.com/UrqR9cm2FT
— Habib Khan Totakhil (@HabibKhanT) February 26, 2015
Celebrating the victory! #AFGvsSCO #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/WSon6jbHzg
— Habib Khan Totakhil (@HabibKhanT) February 26, 2015
'An Unbelievable Feeling' -- Afghanistan Celebrates Historic Cricket Win http://t.co/TRVPzHwcdp pic.twitter.com/GQ43YWjoO2
— RFE/RL (@RFERL) February 26, 2015
People in Afghanistan celebrating @ACBofficials' historic win in #CWC15. #Cricket pic.twitter.com/v9EdRXZExP
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) February 26, 2015
“Cricket is the language of peace and unity in Afghanistan." http://t.co/pGT9hF9sf4 pic.twitter.com/lxBJjXiIXS
— Dhruva Jaishankar (@d_jaishankar) February 26, 2015
However, the celebrations took place against a somber backdrop. The same day, Afghanistan was hit with one of the worst avalanches it had ever recorded, which left over 200 people dead.
Afghan villagers mourn the death of 180+ people killed in one of the worst avalanches to hit #Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/kBI0tP0rli
— AJ+ (@ajplus) February 26, 2015
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