Sportsmanship isn't about criticizing the "ONE" who didn't win on "That ONE"day... it's about appreciating and supporting their hard work amidst success and failures!!!
( Tag Credit : Sutapasima )
With two losses in two outings, India are hanging by a thread in the tournament and a loss against Afghanistan will send them packing. Mohammad Nabi’s side, who have 4 points in 3 games with a high net run rate of +3.097, will move closer to the semi-final spot should they manage an upset over the Men In Blue?
It’s a battle of contrasting methodology, which both sides play by. India, who are much comfortable chasing rather than setting a total – as seen by their previous two innings – bat in a conservative, traditional approach of getting their eye in before launching an assault in the death. They are, though, still finding their best batting order and a threatening bowling combination.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, have taken a leaf out of West Indies’ book since the last T20 World Cup five years ago.
They like to bat in a gung-ho style right from the first over, and then their spinners strangle the opposition under the pressure of a target.
Both of their wins so far have come while defending: they blew away Scotland and Nambia by 130 runs and 62 runs respectively, and gave Pakistan their toughest challenge of the tournament.
Although India are 2-0 up over Afghanistan in T20 World Cups, those wins came in 2010 and 2012, and Afghanistan’s rise in the last decade has been nothing short of incredible.
Should they manage a victory over the Asian giants on Wednesday, it will be a testament to this upsurge.
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
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