Afghanistan plotting to wreck England planning

Nobody believes that England can become Twenty20 champions. But then faith in the idea was non-existent two years ago and they won in style, eating up ground and romping away from the pack in a way that only Mo Farah has since replicated.

The defence starts tomorrow with a tricky little blighter of an opening match against Afghanistan. It is the sort of fixture to give coaches nightmares. Think FA Cup third round of yore.

You can plan all you like — and England have — but that takes no account of the plucky opponents with nothing to lose. Afghanistan are in that category and then some.

Cricket started there in the late Nineties, brought back by Afghan refugees who learned the game in Pakistan. By 2001 they became affiliate members of the International Cricket Council, the lowest rung on the ladder, and by 2010 they qualified for their first World T20.

It has been a triumph of the human spirit and it is impossible to be sure what will happen to cricket and indeed all organised sport in the country in the years to come. Much will depend on who is in charge of political affairs.

For now, Afghanistan are everybody’s favourite second team in this tournament (indeed they may be many people’s favourite team). They are serious cricketers but they play in an uncomplicated way.