The residents of Khost in Afghanistan experienced a lengthy night filled with celebrations. The skies were ablaze with fireworks and the sound of gunshots as Afghans reveled in joy. Noor Ali Zadran, aged 35, remarked, “I have never witnessed such celebrations in my lifetime,” emphasizing that this festive atmosphere extended beyond Khost to encompass the entire country.
The jubilant atmosphere, characterized by gunshots and fireworks, persisted for more that 40 minutes, leading Noor to believe that the festivities would never end. Zadran exclaimed, “It was the most incredible night of our lives” while sharing his thoughts with Six6s on a Tuesday afternoon. Such moments are rare and precious in a country perpetually marred by conflict and the Afghan people were savoring this unique moment under the moonlight.
Six6s reached out to Noor Ali while he was on a lengthy drive. Initially hesitant due to the extended conversation, he eventually acquiesced, unable to resist discussing the World Cup, the victory over Pakistan, and the ensuing celebrations.
Beyond the victory, he held a special sense of pride in the team’s achievements: the presence of players who had honed their skills under Noor’s guidance. Noor Ali, a former Afghan batsman who represented his country in 51 ODIs and 23 T20Is between 2009 and 2019, played a role in the development of his nephew, Ibrahim Zadran, the opener who earned the Man of the Match award against Pakistan. Mujeed Ur Rahman, the regular spinner, is another of his newphews, and Noor Ahmen, the bowling here on Monday night at Chepauk in Chennai, used to play with this group.
Even Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the opener, received coaching from Noor Ali, who takes extra pride in Ibrahim’s batting. Noor revealed that both nephews came to him when they were under 16, and he has known them since. They have not only become part of the national squad but have also become a source of great pride for him.
Noor Ali himself was an opener, and there are claims that some of Ibrahim’s shots resemble his uncle’s batting style. However, Noor Ali acknowledges that his nephew has made significant improvements lately. He shared a coaching anecdote, citing how he advised Ibrahim to play with a straight bat, much like Sachin Tendulkar used to do. The recent performances have showcased Ibrahim’s technical prowess, with exceptional balance in his batting.
Noor trained Ibrahim and Mujeeb within his home compound, which boasts a cricket pitch. An official from the Afghanistan Cricket Board noted the contributions made by this small town to Afghan cricket, where players like Mujeeb and Noor Ahmed were spotted practicing.
Ibrahim, at the age of 21, has already amassed an impressive international record, with five Tests, 24 ODIs, and as many T20Is to his name. In ODIs, he has notched up four centuries, and although he missed out on a fifth century during the match against Pakistan, his innings of 87 played a crucial role in setting up a comfortable position for his team with an opening partnership of 130 runs alongside Gurbaz.
The impressive start provided by Ibrahim and Gurbaz was acknowledged as the turning point by Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan’s coach. Trott emphasized that a strong start eases the pressure on incoming players and allows them to perform more effectively.
Ibrahim’s disciplined and responsible batting style earned him the Man of the Match award, and he dedicated the honor to Afghan refugees who had been repatriated from Pakistan, emphasizing that an Afghanistan-Pakistan match transcends the boundaries of cricket.
Noor Ali believes that this victory heralds greater achievements to come for Afghanistan. He expressed confidence, saying, “Chasing 283 with just two wickets down cannot be considered an upset; it’s a resounding victory.” He disagreed with the notion that Afghanistan were the underdogs against Pakistan, and after their recent wins over England and Pakistan, he is optimistic about the team’s chances in the tournament.
Afghanistan has garnered four points from five games, with two wins and three losses. Achieving a spot in the semifinals may require some luck and exceptional performances against teams like Australia, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. While challenging, the world of cricket has witnessed remarkable turnarounds, and Noor Ali is filled with confidence after the recent triumph.