In a touching display of humanity, Afghanistan’s opening batter, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, was captured extending a helping hand to those in need on the streets of Ahmedabad at 3 am. The heartening video of Gurbaz’s act quickly went viral on social media, drawing attention and admiration. Even Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the team he represents in the Indian Premier League, shared the clip, commending the Afghanistan star’s compassion. The footage shows Gurbaz offering financial assistance to people sleeping on the roadside. KKR expressed their admiration, stating, “From working tirelessly to raise money for the victims of the Herat Earthquake in Afghanistan earlier this month, to this act of kindness in a foreign land – you inspire us all. God bless you, jaani.”
Afghanistan’s World Cup Journey: Missed Chances, Pride in Performance
Despite a few missed opportunities, Afghanistan’s cricket team, led by coach Jonathan Trott, reflects on their World Cup journey with pride. Trott acknowledged the chances that slipped away but expressed satisfaction in the team’s ability to secure victories, not solely relying on their bowling prowess. The coach emphasized the hope for a larger pool of players in the future.
Afghanistan, with four wins in nine games, has been a standout in the World Cup, defeating teams like England, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Although their journey concluded with a defeat to South Africa, the team demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the tournament.
Addressing the team’s performance, Trott shared his thoughts during the post-match press conference. “If you’d said we won four games, you probably would have taken it – especially after losing the first game against Bangladesh,” Trott remarked. Despite some disappointments, he acknowledged the positive aspects, stating, “But it’s still a case of sitting here today thinking there’s a few other games that we left out there that we could have perhaps won. So as a coach and as a member of the team, we’re disappointed with that, but you can’t have everything. You can’t win always. But I see some good improvement.”
Afghanistan’s Batting Brilliance
Traditionally known for their bowling strength, Afghanistan showcased a formidable batting performance in this World Cup. Ibrahim Zadran (376), Azmat Omarzai (353), Rahmat Shah (320), and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (310) emerged as key contributors with the bat. Their ability to comfortably chase down targets in three of the four wins highlighted the team’s versatility in winning matches through different strategies.
Trott commented on this shift, saying, “Normally, with the side, you’d say bowling would be the strength. So, you’d try and put the pressure on the bowlers – but to be able to knock off targets in pretty comfortable fashion and responsible fashion certainly shows that we’re not sort of one way inclined to win cricket games. We can win in various ways.”
Ending on a light note, Trott expressed his excitement about the upcoming IPL auction, particularly when Gurbaz’s name comes up. He hinted at the anticipation around Gurbaz’s potential journey in the lucrative T20 league.
