They may be tournament-debutantes but Afghanistan have managed to impress one and all with their resolute and sprightly performances in the Asia Cup, redefining heroism for the war-ravaged nation.
"Cricket is changing the war-ravaged Afghanistan for better. For the today's youth, the heroes have changed. It's no more the war mafias but the cricketing heroes who's shaping their lives," Afghanistan journalist Matiullah Abid Noor, who is here to cover the Asia Cup for the Voice of America, told PTI.
It's the same Afghanistan team which sought the Indian team members' autographs four years ago during their maiden World Twenty20 appearance in the West Indies.
"It was their first ever meeting with their icons. The likes of Mahendra Sing Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh meant huge to them," the 40-year-old journalist, who is based in Washington, said.
"Our wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad is a great fan of Dhoni and calls himself 'MS'. He even has a Dhoni-like hairstyle."
Afghanistan made their biggest leap yet qualifying for the World Cup 2015 after finishing second behind Ireland in the World Cricket League that was held in Sharjah in October last year.
Afghanistan have not looked back since then as they recorded their first ever win over a Test side, when they defeated Bangladesh by 32 runs here on March 1.
"The qualification was one great thing to have happened for the country. Apart from getting cash incentives, the cricketers were given flats. It's cricket, cricket everywhere now. Such has been the impact that the youth are busy playing cricket now. They don't have time for other antisocial activities.
