Unwanted records for Afghanistan

The auspicious occasion of their first ever Test ended in inauspicious fashion on Friday after Afghanistan succumbed to an innings-and-262-run defeat at the hands of India before stumps on the second day of the one-off Test in Bengaluru. 

While being thus dismantled by the top-ranked side in the world, Afghanistan managed to establish some records they would rather see taken away from them fast.

The newest Test nation in world cricket were dismissed twice on the second day – between lunch and tea for 109 and between tea and close for 103. That made them just the third team after India and Zimbabwe to be dismissed twice in a day. India suffered the fate against England in Manchester in 1952, when they were shot out for 59 and 82. Zimbabwe were victimised in this manner twice, both times by New Zealand, falling for 59 and 99 in Harare 2005 and 51 and 143 in Napier 2012. Afghanistan can at least take solace from the fact that in that club of ignominy, they have the highest score across both innings. 

It was also the 21st match in Test cricket’s 141-year history to be wrapped up inside two days. 

Their inaugural Test is certainly an occasion to remember, but the records they broke are definitely ones to forget.