Did Afghanistan deserve a place in the final of the Asia Cup?

[BlackShadow]

Crushed Sri lanka by 91 runs.
Crushed Bangladesh by by 136 runs.
Lost two nail biters to Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Tied against India.

To me, they have by far been the second best side in this tournament, and it's a shame that they won't be playing the final.

 

[Executioner]

they didn't win matches when it mattered.

But otherwise they were the better team overall. But they fell short 3 times in a row

 

[Shandarchowka]

Deserve it more than Pakistan or Bangladesh for sure

 

[BlackThunder]

Most probably concidering all their matches have been nail-biters while Pakistan and Bangladesh have been defeated handedly.

 

[pakistani pride]

No they dont.
They can take the moral points yes.

 

[reversehook]

Well they didnt make it to the final, so no, however, this tournament will boost hopefully their morales and confidence (not ego's like bangla's) and continue to grow into a more formidable side that can stand neck to neck with the big boys for years to come. This asia cup was Afghan's, they are the unofficial winners of this tourny.

 

[dhonixi]

Yes, 2nd best team of Asia cup. Just lagging in experience.

 

[the_outsider]

they have definitely played better cricket than BD & PAK

 

[Ab Fan]

Yes, 2nd best team in Asia and overall 6th best ODI team in the world. They should be proud of their effort in this tournament.

 

[shokz1408]

They don't deserve to be in the final on the basis of being the most entertaining team. The fact is they won no match in the super four stage.

 

[Dios]

What the hell are you talking about?

 

[Usman Chadda]

Yes, 2nd best team in Asia and overall 6th best ODI team in the world. They should be proud of their effort in this tournament.

2nd best team in the Asia Cup. Pakistan has played their worst cricket since the last five years and still have a chance of qualifying for the final.

 

[Bangalorean]

Well played Team AFG, your time will come to reach final soon

 

[lahoriyah1234]

Well Played Afghanistan but india should have won better and with more authority. But Afghanistan have won many hearts in the world of cricket. They should tour Pakistan soon.

 

[FreakCricket]

minnows like Afghanistan and Bangladesh need to win major tournaments, moral victory means nothing IRL.

 

[ads101]

Honestly kind of wish they were in the finals over us or Bangladesh. Really impressed by them been competitive against every country, even India. Doing well in tournaments really kickstarts the rise out of minnow territory for these sort of teams like how it's done for Bangladesh (who aren't minnows anymore). And the more asian countries that are competitive the better, I'd take a loss here if it'd ensure for better, more enjoyable games to watch in the future.

On the bright side maybe even though Afghanistan didn't get to the finals, they've already done enough to get out of the minnow status. They didn't feel like minnows in this asia cup, and if they keep up this sort of standard they're a worthy competitor to the test nation teams.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

They did but they also choked in 3 consecutive games, and could have easily had 3 wins and instead leave with 0.

But they are an exciting team and bring a lot of value to the game win or lose.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

They played according to conditions and went with 3 spinners and got the reward whereas we went with 1 and a half spinner.

 

[Saj]

There is some sentiment there but at the end of the day they lost 2 close matches and having done that they were always going to struggle to reach the final.

The experience of playing in this tournament will do them the world of good and they will come back stronger and better.

 

[nam]

effort ke poray marks milaingay Afghanistan ko.. but sad reality is points count. winning matches count and they lost two crucial games and tied one so not yet but they will get their soon

 

[Mamoon]

They have been incredible. They have posted 250+ in all their matches but have failed to win those key moments, although they should have lost today but were greatly helped by the umpires.

They have performed better than all teams barring India, so yes they deserve to play in the final.

 

[El Generico]

They have been incredible. They have posted 250+ in all their matches but have failed to win those key moments, although they should have lost today but were greatly helped by the umpires.

They have performed better than all teams barring India, so yes they deserve to play in the final.

But they lost to both Pakistan and BD? how do you perform better than someone and still lose? This deserving stuff may work in subjective competitions like a cooking contest or a writing contest but how does it apply here when there is a clear winner and a loser ?


However wins, gets the points and makes it to the final hence are deserving. How can a team be more deserving than teams that they have lost to?

 

[BDfanforever]

Close but no cigar. They lost both games in super 4 aginst the other two competing teams.

So no, by beating SRL and a depleted BD team in group stage does not mean AFG deserves to go final.

Final berth is not derserved, it is earned.

 

[El Generico]

Close but no cigar. They lost both games in super 4 aginst the other two competing teams.

So no, by beating SRL and a depleted BD team in group stage does not mean AFG deserves to go final.

Final berth is not derserved, it is earned.

A lot of people miss this point, the Bangladesh team that they beat in the group stages was missing at least 3-4 main players. It was still a great achievement for Afghanistan but just that one win does not make them more deserving than teams they have lost to.

 

[the_outsider]

It is true that Afghanistan could not earn a place in the final.

But it's clear that throughout this tournament they have played better quality of cricket than Pakistan, SL and BD.

 

[Sirris]

Never really paid attention to Afghan cricket. Great to see genuine increase in cricket playing nations who are also competitive.

 

[barah_admi]

Crushed Sri lanka by 91 runs.
Crushed Bangladesh by by 136 runs.
Lost two nail biters to Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Tied against India.

To me, they have by far been the second best side in this tournament, and it's a shame that they won't be playing the final.

How can they be second best side when they cant qualify for the final?

 

[Titan24]

I don’t believe in “they/ he/ she deserve to be in the final”, there is no denying that they played outstanding cricket but the ones who deserve are the ones that go through.

In no sport someone who loses, goes into the final just bcz some people think he deserves it.

 

[El Generico]

Crushed Sri lanka by 91 runs.
Crushed Bangladesh by by 136 runs.
Lost two nail biters to Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Tied against India.

To me, they have by far been the second best side in this tournament, and it's a shame that they won't be playing the final.

So if we turn this around and look at BD.

They crushed SL
Lost to Afghanistan in a dead rubber
Got crushed India
Defeated Afghanistan in the game that matter

So if BD is to win tomorrow why would they be less deserving than Afghanistan? Same applies to Pakistan.

 

[BlackShadow]

How can they be second best side when they cant qualify for the final?

They were the 2nd best performers without a doubt.

I don’t believe in “they/ he/ she deserve to be in the final”, there is no denying that they played outstanding cricket but the ones who deserve are the ones that go through.

In no sport someone who loses, goes into the final just bcz some people think he deserves it.

Tend to agree with this. They let the key moments slip, so calling them deserving was bit of an overstatement on my part.

 

[MMHS]

NO - they had the chance and couldn't do it. It wasn't that they missed it for unfair means. I understand sympathy for AFGs, but they have to learn it tough way. BD lost to PAK in 2014 Final by 2 runs, after beating IND and losing group game to PAK for an unreal Afridi blitz, then conceding 18 in last over to PAK's last pair - don't think, we deserved the title, neither AFGs do here to b in Final.

Other-way, I can also say that, they have won 4 tosses and won 3 games, on a wicket tailor made for them and giving undue advantage to teams batting first - only game that mattered most, they lost the toss & game as well.

Fair play, but no hard luck - they didn't deserve to be in Final.

 

[Hasan123]

Game is played for 100 overs. They need to ensure they win the key moments and take advantage when they are on top. They didn't do this , so they don't deserve to be in the final. But they played very well in the tournament.

 

[Ozeirk]

But they lost to both Pakistan and BD? how do you perform better than someone and still lose? This deserving stuff may work in subjective competitions like a cooking contest or a writing contest but how does it apply here when there is a clear winner and a loser ?


However wins, gets the points and makes it to the final hence are deserving. How can a team be more deserving than teams that they have lost to?

Great post

 

[Ozeirk]

Afghanistan had two chances of qualifying to the final. If they were that good they could have beaten either Bangladesh or Pakistan when it mattered but they failed to do so. Pakistan game did get close in the end but Pakistani batsmen were on top for the most part. Also, Pakistan players were not in the best state of mind when they played Afghanistan having lost in the previous game. They would have had no chance against Pakistan in normal circumstances however.

 

[blackanhyellow]

Pakistan is the second best team in the tournament.

Afghanistan played well, but on what basis have they played better than Pakistan?

 

[Gotham Cronie]

Let's just stop the tournament and hand out participation trophies. Some of the responses I'm this thread are shocking.

 

[kuskash]

Even if both Pak and Bang lose Sept 26 match (highly unlikely, lol), still AFG not qualified to play final. So they do not deserve.

 

[Cricketlover11vns]

No they didn't,only reason they tied yesterday becoz india rested 6 main players and were in a relaxed mood
Otherwise they lost to both full strength bangla and Pakistan team

 

[Invincible Gujjar]

what rubbish. They had their opportunities but they did not cash on those opportunities. Moral victories don't count.They lost fair and square.

 

[PakPremi]

No they would have also lost to India full team just as badly as Pak team did.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

NO - they had the chance and couldn't do it. It wasn't that they missed it for unfair means. I understand sympathy for AFGs, but they have to learn it tough way. BD lost to PAK in 2014 Final by 2 runs, after beating IND and losing group game to PAK for an unreal Afridi blitz, then conceding 18 in last over to PAK's last pair - don't think, we deserved the title, neither AFGs do here to b in Final.

Other-way, I can also say that, they have won 4 tosses and won 3 games, on a wicket tailor made for them and giving undue advantage to teams batting first - only game that mattered most, they lost the toss & game as well.

Fair play, but no hard luck - they didn't deserve to be in Final.

I think you're mixing the 2012 and 2014 Asia Cup. Bangladesh were in the final of the 2012 Asia Cup and that Afridi blitz was in 2014.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

On the subject,No.Afghanistan did not deserve to be in the final.

They played brilliant cricket. But they lost 2 games when it mattered.

The future is bright, there is no doubt about that.

 

[aukhan]

You don't deserve anything, you have to go there and earn it.

 

[PakLFC]

No they did not. The lost most crucial matches. The points table does not lie

 

[Something]

They played well, no doubt. However, in the end if you fail to win the crucial games you don't make it to the final and that is that.

 

[barah_admi]

They were the 2nd best performers without a doubt.



Tend to agree with this. They let the key moments slip, so calling them deserving was bit of an overstatement on my part.

How can a team be second best performers if the yhave lost to Pakistan and Bangladesh and tied against India in the Super 4?

They have put in good performances but merely ALMOST winning is not enough. If Pakistan beat Bang they will be second best, or if Bang win.

SIlly statement tbh.

 

[MMHS]

I think you're mixing the 2012 and 2014 Asia Cup. Bangladesh were in the final of the 2012 Asia Cup and that Afridi blitz was in 2014.

Content remains same.