As Afghanistan’s national anthem rang out around Manuka Oval in Australia’s national capital of Canberra, players on the country’s proud cricket team stood with their hands of their heart, making history.
Afghanistan started its first Cricket World Cup in the 50-over format on Wednesday — taking on Bangladesh — a huge achievement considering the team comprises many players who picked up the game in refugee camps outside their war-torn country.
Mohammad Nabi, who spent time as a child in a refugee camp in Peshawar, Pakistan, led an Afghan lineup that has absolutely nothing to lose. And Nabi started off his World Cup by failing to win the coin toss to determine which team batted first.
Bangladesh won the toss and decided to bat, but it meant the Afghanistan side could walk out on the oval together to field first before an expected sellout crowd of 12,000.
The red and green of Bangladesh supporters far outnumbered the blue of Afghanistan fans outside the stadium before the gates opened.
"Hopefully Afghanistan is going to win the game, but we’ll see how it goes," said Roman Sadath, 31, who migrated from Afghanistan to Australian 18 years ago.
Naqib Akbrai, 30, drove from Sydney to support Afghanistan.
"It’s a big game. It’s a dream come true," he said. "Afghanistan playing in a World Cup, it’s all we could ask for. We’re really positive. Hopefully we should win. I’m sure about 80 per cent of Afghanistan is watching the game on TV today."
Hours before the match, news from Afghanistan was not good with reports of Taliban suicide bombers attacking a police station near Kabul and killing at least 20 people. The players and fans are hoping to use the cricket World Cup to promote a positive image of their country.
On Thursday, the United Arab Emirates will become the last of 14 teams to play its first match when it opens in Nelson, New Zealand against Zimbabwe, which is coming off a 62-run loss to South Africa.
UAE last played at a World Cup in 1996, beating the Netherlands by seven wickets for its only win. Captain Mohammad Tauqir and leading batsman Khurram Khan share the distinction of being the World Cup’s oldest players at 43.
"It’s long back (since) we last played World Cup," said Tauqir. "I think it’s an honour for me and for the whole team to represent the country."
With South Africa, India and Pakistan widely tipped to take the top three places in Pool B, Zimbabwe will likely have to displace Ireland and the West Indies for the fourth spot to advance to the quarterfinals which begin on March 14. Ireland has already beaten the West Indies.
Meanwhile, a tropical cyclone which could form off the north Queensland coast could have an impact on Saturday’s match in Brisbane between Australia and Bangladesh. The match would feature Australia captain Michael Clarke’s first appearance at the tournament after recovering from hamstring surgery.
Weather experts are forecasting up to 100 millimeters (four inches) of rain each of Thursday and Friday and an 80 per cent of rain showers on Saturday. A cyclone watch was already in effect for a wide area just to the north of Brisbane.
Kevin Mitchell, curator at the Gabba ground in Brisbane, admits a washout is possible but he’s hopeful the rain might clear before the scheduled Saturday afternoon start.
"It all hinges on what happens on Saturday as there looks like there is going to be a huge amount of rain between now and then," Mitchell said.
The wet weather may delay a tough call for coach Darren Lehmann — who to drop for Clarke? The player most mentioned is stand-in skipper George Bailey, although Lehmann was seen speaking at length with out-of-form all-rounder Shane Watson after training on Wednesday.
"We’ll work out what the best 11 is once it clears up," Lehmann said.