Effervescent fans, passionate players, fearless cricket: Joys of watching Afghanistan in World T20

It was a hot, sunny afternoon at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium when South Africa elected to bat against Qualifier Afghanistan in the ICC World Twenty20 2016. The fancied South Africa batting line up against associates Afghans seemed like an exciting prospect for the sparse crowd – the neutral fans who had come for an entertaining game of cricket. There were talks of ‘AB maarega’ (AB de Villiers will hit shots) and ‘do sau banega’ (South Africa will make 200) in the stands.

But there was a sizeable section of the crowd, colorfully attired with painted faces and waving flags, who hoped for a different outcome. After all, they had traveled a long way to see Afghanistan play, the team that many referred to as underdogs, minnows, associates and questioned their precsence at a world event. But this team, their representative on this global stage, had upheld their belief and made it to the Super 10 stage, and these fans were not going to let them down.

Afghan fans at Wankhede Stadium. Getty Images

They were everywhere - groups of Afghan fans entering the stadium in Pathani suits, bright kurtas, fancy headgears, outnumbering the South African counterparts.  A massive contingent of Afghan fans seated in the top tier of the Sunil Gavaskar  Stand (popularly known as the East Stand) armed with several national flags including one long cloth banner.

The enthusiasm in their stadium manner was infectious – when the national anthem played, when the Afghan XI walked in to field, when Dawlat Zadran ran in to bowl, when Shahpur Zadran was placed at the boundary nearest to them.

But the highlight was Faf du Plessis’ wicket. The South African captain had blasted his way to 41 off 30 balls when he was he was run out in the tenth over. The giant screen played the replay of the run while the third umpire made the decision and soon as they saw the Du Plessis was short, a large roar erupted in the stands. The Afghan contingent in our stand waved their flags and danced and cheered like there was no tomorrow. The players on field were not very different in their celebration.