Afghan fans rock Eden

Subhash Rajta

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Tribune News Service

Kolkata, March 17

Not too far ahead in the future, Afghanistan will pose a double challenge to the established cricket-playing nations of the Subcontinent. One will, of course, come on the ground; the other off the pitch — in the stands to be precise. The Afghan fans, on the evidence of their show at the Eden Gardens on Thursday, could soon lay a serious claim to being the most passionate and boisterous of all the cricket fans.

With every shot their batsmen hit and every wicket their bowlers took, the Afghan fans, who had turned up in considerable numbers at the “iconic stadium”, rocked the stadium with their joyous shrieks and jigs.

That cricket has become a craze in Afghanistan is an old news. Yet, just to make himself more clear, Abdul Mitani, who had travelled from Mumbai to see the match, insisted on narrating an anecdote. “A few years back, the Indian TV shows were very popular in Afghanistan, especially Kasauti Zindagi Ki and Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi”, he said.

“So popular were these shows that once a wedding was put on hold for one hour so that people could watch these shows. Now, cricket is on the same level,” he said.

Abdullah, his friend, was too excited to sit down for a chat. Like so many other fellow countrymen, he was busy cheering and dancing at every shot. “It’s a huge occasion for us; to play our World Cup opening game at the iconic Eden Gardens is just fantastic,” he said, not bothering to pick up his phone which had slipped out of his pocket and lay in pieces.

So, will the Afghan fans turn out at all venues to support the team? “Just wait, you will see the number swelling with every passing game,” said Abdul, with a huge smile on his face.

And before long, they joined the rest in creating a tremendous din at the Eden Gardens.