We need to talk about the performance and intent of Afghanistan against India

[GillEdits]

Afghanistan did well against India in recent T20 series. They lost 3-0 but a couple of games were close.

And what happens to them in the ICC events?

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

And what happens to them in the ICC events?

What happens to Pakistan? Pakistan has a 14-1 record in WC against India and you guys are supposed to be rivals?

 

[GillEdits]

What happens to Pakistan? Pakistan has a 14-1 record in WC against India and you guys are supposed to be rivals?

14-1 or 1-14?

 

[RahulBose]

Man, the amount of conspiracy theories that Pakistani people believe in has to be highest per capita in cricketing world

 

[Nikhil_cric]

What happens to Pakistan? Pakistan has a 14-1 record in WC against India and you guys are supposed to be rivals?

Pakistani fans seem to have accepted in their hearts that they just don't have the talent to compete with Afghanistan let alone India.

Since they don't have the talent to do it themselves , they're looking for proxies who can defeat India and become upset when these chosen proxies can't do it either.

 

[emranabbas]

Its so obvious they try to please the masters

 

[Red-Indian]

Its so obvious they try to please the masters

Do you think it might be the case that all the subcontinent teams are in awe of 'big brother' India? Just look at the record over the last 10 years. Each and every team has lost at least 4 matches for every 1 it has won.

By opposition team

Team	Span	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	Draw	NR	W/L	Ave	RPO	Inns	HS	LS
India	2014-2023	58	45	10	0	2	1	4.500	43.52	5.22	64	622	101
v Sri Lanka
India	2015-2024	31	24	6	0	1	0	4.000	41.67	5.18	34	687	186
v Bangladesh
India	2015-2024	16	12	3	0	0	1	4.000	37.83	6.50	16	356	119
v Pakistan
India	2018-2024	11	8	0	2	0	1	-	43.88	6.71	10	474	252
v Afghanistan

This is across all formats

 

[DeadlyVenom]

What happens to Pakistan? Pakistan has a 14-1 record in WC against India and you guys are supposed to be rivals?

Is rivalry only through world cup head to heads?

 

[Red-Indian]

Do you think it might be the case that all the subcontinent teams are in awe of 'big brother' India? Just look at the record over the last 10 years. Each and every team has lost at least 4 matches for every 1 it has won.

By opposition team

Team	Span	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	Draw	NR	W/L	Ave	RPO	Inns	HS	LS
India	2014-2023	58	45	10	0	2	1	4.500	43.52	5.22	64	622	101
v Sri Lanka
India	2015-2024	31	24	6	0	1	0	4.000	41.67	5.18	34	687	186
v Bangladesh
India	2015-2024	16	12	3	0	0	1	4.000	37.83	6.50	16	356	119
v Pakistan
India	2018-2024	11	8	0	2	0	1	-	43.88	6.71	10	474	252
v Afghanistan

This is across all formats

It's a pity they lost the two tied games. If they'd won those, they'd have a more or less identical record to the other subcontinent teams.

I feel pretty confident there's nothing in this attitude or body language nonsense.

 

[emranabbas]

Do you think it might be the case that all the subcontinent teams are in awe of 'big brother' India? Just look at the record over the last 10 years. Each and every team has lost at least 4 matches for every 1 it has won.

By opposition team

Team	Span	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	Draw	NR	W/L	Ave	RPO	Inns	HS	LS
India	2014-2023	58	45	10	0	2	1	4.500	43.52	5.22	64	622	101
v Sri Lanka
India	2015-2024	31	24	6	0	1	0	4.000	41.67	5.18	34	687	186
v Bangladesh
India	2015-2024	16	12	3	0	0	1	4.000	37.83	6.50	16	356	119
v Pakistan
India	2018-2024	11	8	0	2	0	1	-	43.88	6.71	10	474	252
v Afghanistan

This is across all formats

Not everyone here is engaging in the India vs. Pakistan war on social media; some of us simply appreciate good cricket. Afghanistan is the most improved team, but the intent seems to disappear when they play against a competitive team like India, turning the game into a friendly match. I’m not one of those people who would join an Indian forum just to bash Indian cricket india vs pakistan isnt my thing. I prefer watching quality cricket and want to see Afghanistan perform at their best against all teams.

 

[Red-Indian]

Not everyone here is engaging in the India vs. Pakistan war on social media; some of us simply appreciate good cricket. Afghanistan is the most improved team, but the intent seems to disappear when they play against a competitive team like India, turning the game into a friendly match. I’m not one of those people who would join an Indian forum just to bash Indian cricket india vs pakistan isnt my thing. I prefer watching quality cricket and want to see Afghanistan perform at their best against all teams.

Not sure if that was addressed at me or in general? To your broader point though, I think the fire of India Vs Pakistan games is more or less gone on both sides. It's still an important date to circle on both calendars but a loss doesn't spoil the month and cause the losing team to fear lynching the way it used to in the 90s.

To a certain extent, I like this game or two a year in the cups. Raises the stakes and brings a certain spice and rarity to the rivalry compared to the almost monotonous regularity of games against teams like Australia and England. The only thing I would wish for would be a test series every year or two even if it has to be on neutral ground.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Tbh Afghan team consider itself inferior to Indian team and they won't succeed until they play with real aggression instead of so called brotherhood. On field, you are there to win not show friendships

 

[Local.Dada]

I won’t talk about “intent” because there is no need to question their desire to beat India and the integrity of these players who take pride in representing their country.

However, they definitely have a mental block when it comes to competing with their Indian masters.

Perhaps they are too impressed with the Indian players or too friendly or don’t believe they are good enough to beat them, but Afghanistan vs India and Afghanistan vs others are not the same team.

Or maybe have you considered cricketing logic that on paper Indian team is way stronger than Afghanistan?

 

[Mamoon]

Or maybe have you considered cricketing logic that on paper Indian team is way stronger than Afghanistan?

I have, but you clearly haven’t considered the fact that Afghanistan have beaten several teams that are stronger than them on paper.

Afghanistan vs India has been an anomaly compared to Afghanistan vs other strong teams. People are free to discuss why that is the case and Indian fans should not get defensive about it.

 

[Red-Indian]

I have, but you clearly haven’t considered the fact that Afghanistan have beaten several teams that are stronger than them on paper.

Afghanistan vs India has been an anomaly compared to Afghanistan vs other strong teams. People are free to discuss why that is the case and Indian fans should not get defensive about it.

There is something in what you say. India and South Africa remain the final frontier for them after this win against Australia but given the higher number of matches against India, it stands out a bit more that they haven't won yet.

On the other hand, they have managed two ties coming agonisingly close to winning and managed a healthy RPO which is good indicator of intent.

By opposition team

Team	Span	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	Draw	NR	W/L	Ave	RPO	Inns	HS	LS
Afghanistan	2014-2023	29	13	16	0	0	0	0.812	23.20	4.68	31	342	72
v Bangladesh
Afghanistan	2014-2024	24	7	16	0	0	1	0.437	24.87	5.30	25	339	115
v Sri Lanka
Afghanistan	2016-2024	18	6	11	0	0	1	0.545	20.08	4.79	18	288	93
v West Indies
Afghanistan	2012-2023	15	4	11	0	0	0	0.363	24.85	5.20	15	300	59
v Pakistan
Afghanistan	2012-2024	6	1	5	0	0	0	0.200	24.12	5.52	6	291	142
v Australia
Afghanistan	2012-2023	6	1	5	0	0	0	0.200	17.79	4.97	6	284	80
v England
Afghanistan	2015-2024	5	1	4	0	0	0	0.250	17.72	4.77	5	186	139
v New Zealand
Afghanistan	2010-2024	14	0	11	2	0	1	0.000	19.21	5.46	15	272	103
v India
Afghanistan	2010-2023	4	0	4	0	0	0	0.000	15.52	5.16	4	244	80
v South Africa

I still don't think this attitude issue is anything but fuzzy nonsense.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Tbh Afghan team consider itself inferior to Indian team and they won't succeed until they play with real aggression instead of so called brotherhood. On field, you are there to win not show friendships

I beg to differ that Afghanistan somehow reduces the intensity against India. Most recent T20 match is an example. Chasing a 212 against India they reached 212 even without Rashid khan. Without intensity you cannot do that. They even tied the first super over. They show intensity. But they also have the habit of losing the plot against all teams once they are put under pressure like they did against Maxwell. India managed to exert pressure to keep them down. India is a professional LOI unit. Even B teams are good. Lower ranked sides cannot easily beat them.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

I would argue the opposite.

Wouldn't a poor performance vs India make them "unlikely" to get IPL contracts?

Or conversely, wouldn't thrashing India make them more liable to get "good IPL contracts"?

To get an IPL contract, you need to beat the best, not fold tamely against best.

 

[mominsaigol]

I would argue the opposite.

Wouldn't a poor performance vs India make them "unlikely" to get IPL contracts?

Or conversely, wouldn't thrashing India make them more liable to get "good IPL contracts"?

To get an IPL contract, you need to beat the best, not fold tamely against best.

Afghanistan is friendly towards India because the countries and players gell. But Afghanistan obv still want to win.

It's just India is use to their players

 

[Devadwal]

@TheSultan any thoughts about Afghanistan intent against Bangladesh??

 

[Buffet]

Afg played poorly against BD here. So many wickets in hands still not trying to hit shots. 60/1 in 10 overs and no intention to play shots till Rasheed can for last few overs.

 

[ahmadharis1]

God forbid we give India credit instead of shouting conspiracy every time

 

[pillionrider]

I would argue the opposite.

Wouldn't a poor performance vs India make them "unlikely" to get IPL contracts?

Or conversely, wouldn't thrashing India make them more liable to get "good IPL contracts"?

To get an IPL contract, you need to beat the best, not fold tamely against best.

Exactly. An otherwise nobody like Nasir Jamshed got a few gigs on our sports shows, on the basis of one single tour. Things were hostile or he'd have become a regular fixture too.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Afghanistan would not want to lose game against any team but I don't think there is some conspiracy going on when they face India. Maybe Afghans want to win but India is too good for them NO???

Yeah, question may arise in a cricket fan's mind but I don't think there is any truth in this controversy.

 

[NishanKonar]

I would argue the opposite.

Wouldn't a poor performance vs India make them "unlikely" to get IPL contracts?

Or conversely, wouldn't thrashing India make them more liable to get "good IPL contracts"?

To get an IPL contract, you need to beat the best, not fold tamely against best.

This is what many Pakistani fans dont get. In IPL the best salaries go to players who excelled against India

Look at the gigantic contracts Mitchell Starc & Pat Cummins landed - purely due to 2023 WC win

Indians always appreciated those who performed against India.

 

[Sir Alex]

Pak vs Afg is similar to Ind vs BD. It's all about respect. Pak players and fans don't respect Afg cricket. Ditto with Indians against BD. Pak and Ind fans think the existence of Afg and BD respectively is due to their largesse in history. So when a BD player sledges Kohli, it's a national outrage because India helped BD gain independence. Similarly all Afghan players even have a bat to hold on to is because they all learned cricket in Pakistan refugee camps.

These tired tropes frustrate the fans of Afg and BD and they become aggressive online. There's a lot of pressure on the players too. The result is pictures of Taskin holding Dhoni's head. Poor Taskin was banned right after for chucking and couldn't even hold a ball for 2 years let alone someone's head. Point is, give respect to other teams. Yes you helped them eons ago but that doesn't mean they will be your pets wanting to lose against you.

Lots.of Afghan refugees sent back from.Pak and a lot of noise about sending BD illegals from India also adds to the drama

Lol what a load of tosh.

Ban vs SL is a bigger rivalry than Ban va Ind. The latter is laughably one sided and fans hardly care about them, barring multi team series tournaments.

 

[GillEdits]

Its so obvious they try to please the masters

Obviously.

 

[Sir Alex]

Intent of Afghanistan against India is simple.. just secure the IPL contracts!

Cummins bagged one of the biggest IPl contracrs after winning the QC. Head and Starc too landed plum contracts.

 

[Sir Alex]

Another thing is Pakistan fans have this weird obsession with body langauge, aggression, intent and what not. Shoab Akhtar made this " jigra jazba gurda " narrative very popular amongst the Pakistan cricket fraternity

So when Pakistan loses, there is always more questions on body language, aggression , intent - instead of real issue slike skill set, planning, tactics

In reality all this body language & aggression counts for nothing. It ultimately boils down to skill & abiity. Afghanistan dont beat Australia or Pakistan bcoz they are so charged up. They win bcoz they are capable

Look at Jos Buttler. DOes he looks very aggressive by nature. Or Jasprit Bumrah. Or Travis Head ?

So true.
Otherwise Rauf would be the second coming of Imran. He actually looks

Do you think it might be the case that all the subcontinent teams are in awe of 'big brother' India? Just look at the record over the last 10 years. Each and every team has lost at least 4 matches for every 1 it has won.

By opposition team

Team	Span	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	Draw	NR	W/L	Ave	RPO	Inns	HS	LS
India	2014-2023	58	45	10	0	2	1	4.500	43.52	5.22	64	622	101
v Sri Lanka
India	2015-2024	31	24	6	0	1	0	4.000	41.67	5.18	34	687	186
v Bangladesh
India	2015-2024	16	12	3	0	0	1	4.000	37.83	6.50	16	356	119
v Pakistan
India	2018-2024	11	8	0	2	0	1	-	43.88	6.71	10	474	252
v Afghanistan

This is across all formats

Huh, India is funding ICC and hence are paymasters of every other Asian team.

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

And what happens to them in the ICC events?

the same that happens to Pakistan while facing India in the world Cup

 

[GillEdits]

the same that happens to Pakistan while facing India in the world Cup

They lose to them intentionally.

 

[GillEdits]

They lose to them intentionally.

Pakistan don't.

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

Pakistan don't.

Make up your mind brother

 

[GillEdits]

Make up your mind brother

I'm talking about Afghanistan, bro.
They lose to India intentionally, Pakistan don't.
That's the difference.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

We need to talk about the performance and intent of England against India in this semifinal.

 

[JaDed]

I think we need to talk of Intent of Indian team when Hasina ruled over BD, we were lacking intent.
The difference is remarkable esp coz BD whitewashed PCT in their den.