Afghanistan, the feel-good team of the tournament, had plenty to feel good about their first major international cricket match (and probably their first international sports appearance following the overthrow of the Taliban regime). Unfortunately for them, they were up against an Indian team that is determined to make up for their poor showing in the 2009 World Cup. Afghanistan ended up losing by 7 wickets with 5 overs to spare, but they can feel justifiably proud of their accomplishment, and confident that they lived up to the hype.
Losing the toss, Afghanistan batted first and found themselves in early trouble against the bouncers of Ashish Nehra and Praveen Kumar. Mahendra Singh Dhoni took four catches behind the stumps, almost all of them coming off attempted hooks and evasive action. At 29/3 in the 6th over, Afghanistan's introduction to international cricket was starting to look messy, but opener Noor Ali and Asghar Stanikzai combined to stop the rot - their 68-run partnership was highlighted by Stanikzai striking three sixes, and Noor Ali becoming the first Afghan player to register a half-century in a top tier tournament. He eventually fell for 50 off 48 balls. Stanikzai was the only other player to score in double-figures (30 off 33), but Afghanistan ended their innings on a reassuring note, having batted out all 20 overs and still having two wickets intact.
India do not have Virender Sehwag in their arsenal for this World Cup, and when Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina fell cheaply, Afghanistan might have fancied their chances for making India sweat a little. However, Murali Vijay hit two 4s and three 6s in his 48, Yuvraj Singh made a neat little 23 and MS Dhoni smoked 15 off 6 to deliver India a comfortable victory. Nehra picked up the Man of the Match award 4-0-19-3.
So after a match that will remembered more for its trivia than its result (Who did Afghanistan face in their first major international match? Who scored the first 50 for Afghanistan in World Cups?), India move to a stiffer challenge, against South Africa. So will Afghanistan, who for all their spirit and determination, will never have faced anyone with the speed and hostility of Dale Steyn. Their weakness against short-pitched bowling would have had the South African seamers licking their lips like crocodiles at a watering hole. It's a flaw that will be corrected with time, exposure and experience. Afghanistan's fielding was alternately inspired and weak, which effectively sums them up at this stage of their development. They have plenty to be proud of, even in defeat to India, but they probably can't help wonder how they came to be in such a tough group.