Breathtaking Cricket Match

In the past sixty years, I have experienced and watched a considerable amount of cricket. In Bangladesh, as far as I remember, live broadcasting of cricket matches began in 1983 with the live telecast of the final match of the third Cricket World Cup held in London. In that historic match, India clinched the World Cup by defeating the dominant West Indies, who were dismissed for just 183 runs. The victory was unexpected, and it marked the end of West Indies' reign, establishing India as the new champions.

Since then, I have witnessed numerous cricket matches, including Test cricket, which was initially played over 60 overs and later transitioned to the standard 50-over format from 1987. The introduction of Twenty20 cricket added a new dimension to the game, creating an electrifying atmosphere in stadiums. However, in recent times, cricket stadiums have been left vacant due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with matches being played in empty arenas.

During these six decades, I have observed the intense battles and thrilling moments in cricket, leaving behind the nostalgia of the past. Notably, the latest experience was witnessing the third T20 match between India and Afghanistan at the cricket stadium in Bengaluru, a stark contrast to the passionate crowds that used to fill the stadiums in earlier times.

In a specific 20-over cricket match, India set a target of 212/4 wickets. Initially, it seemed like an easy win for India, but the Afghan team, despite losing 6 wickets for 20 runs in 20 overs, managed to reach the target of 212 runs. The game ended in a tie, showcasing a remarkable performance by Afghanistan in the Super Over.

At that point, it appeared that India, with their strong batting lineup, especially the hitters, would secure an easy victory in the Super Over. However, Afghanistan's batsmen proved their mettle by scoring 16 runs in the Super Over, setting a competitive target for India. In response, during India's second Super Over, they could only manage to score 11 runs.

The match took an unexpected turn, and Afghanistan, who had scored 16 runs in their second Super Over, ultimately triumphed. It was in the second Super Over that India faltered, managing to score only 11 runs. Afghanistan, having demonstrated their resilience with 16 runs in the first Super Over, claimed victory.

The Afghan team's success was particularly notable as they faced a strong Indian team led by their captain. The decision to replace the fast bowler with spinner Ravi Bishnoi during the second Super Over proved to be a game-changer. Afghanistan's psychological edge over the Indian fast bowlers was evident as they comfortably handled the spin challenge, leaving the Indian bowlers frustrated.

The flying mood of the Afghan players mentally rattled the Indian fast bowlers, who failed to live up to their reputation. The Afghan team, however, did not contemplate changing their strategy against spin. Consequently, they did not make any gear changes, and before they could settle against Bishnoi, they lost two wickets in consecutive balls, ending the game with just 1 run on the board.

Ravi Bishnoi, taking two wickets for one run, sealed India's victory in the Super Over. The match showcased Afghanistan's determination and adaptability, ultimately leading them to triumph in a thrilling encounter.

Author: Poet