AYAZ MEMON

Test cricket has been unkind to newcomers. Barring Australia, who won the first ever contest (v England, 1877), and Zimbabwe, who drew against India (1992), all others started with a defeat.

This is understandable. Test cricket can be extraordinarily demanding on skills and technique, but rather more on temperament. Capacity to concentrate and be motivated for several hours (over days) is more a function of experience than just enthusiasm and intent.

The shorter the game, the more level the playing field because players are under lesser ‘test’ on the attributes mentioned above. It’s hardly surprising then that teams which started playing Tests in the last five decades have a far better record in limited overs formats.

The difficulty quotient for Afghanistan on debut, therefore, hardly needs highlighting. It is accentuated by the fact that India are No 1. The hosts may be