HISTORY-MAKING AFGHANISTAN GET RUDE WELCOME TO TEST CRICKET

All the guys have first-class experience. Inshallah (God willing), we can do well

Afghanistan were handed a bruising introduction to Test cricket by India on Thursday as the team capped their astonishing rise from war and refugee camps to joining the sport’s elite.

Afghan skipper Asghar Stanikzai called it a “very proud moment” as he strode onto the field at Bangalore’s M. Chinnaswamy stadium for the toss, won by opposite number Ajinkya Rahane.

“All the guys have first-class experience. Inshallah (God willing), we can do well,” the 30-year-old batsman said.

Afghanistan have become one of only 12 nations sanctioned to play Tests, the five-day format considered cricket’s peak, after defying heavy (REUTERS) odds to emerge as a force in the game.

The hosts gave no quarter to the Afghan bowlers, however, reaching 264 for one when rain stopped play for the second time in the final session. Shikhar Dhawan smashed a merciless 107 and Murali Vijay was unbeaten on 99.

The left-right opening combination of Dhawan and Vijay put together a 168-run stand to make the Afghanistan bowlers toil.

Dhawan galloped to his century in just 87 deliveries, becoming the first Indian batsman to reach three figures on the opening day before lunch.

Dhawan hit 19 fours and three sixes as he set about the Afghan bowlers including spin sensation Rashid Khan, smashing three boundaries in the teenager’s opening over to bring up his 50.

But Dhawan also became Afghanistan’s first Test wicket when paceman Yamin Ahmadzai had him caught by Mohammad Nabi in the slips early in the second session.

Lokesh Rahul, batting on 44, then joined Vijay to continue India’s momentum as they put on an unbeaten 96-run partnership for the second wicket.

Most cricket-loving Afghans were watching the match on TV back home as they prepared for a three-day public holiday for the Muslim festival of Eid.

Afghans took to social media to celebrate the start of the Test, which comes amid a government ceasefire during the holy month of Ramadan.

Nadir Danish in the eastern province of Khost wrote on Facebook: “I hope they (India) do not make history of us -- they are piling up runs on Afghanistan. The way their openers have batted has panicked the Afghanistan team!” Earlier, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani sent his congratulations for what he called a “historic day”. (AFP)