Afghan batters backing up their star bowlers

They were able to cross 250 just once in nine games at the 2019 World Cup. They've already done that thrice in six games in this edition

- Vivek Krishnan

They’ve crossed 300 twice. They’ve cantered to a target of 283 with eight wickets in hand. They’ve been bowled out for a total between 100 and 200 five times. They’ve also been skittled for 59. Such has been the oscillation in Afghanistan’s batting performances in 17 ODIs this year.

Even in the six games at this World Cup, their efforts with the bat have seesawed between extremes. In their first game against Bangladesh, they were bowled out for 156 in 37.2 overs in perfect batting conditions in Dharamsala. If this was against one of the weaker teams, their next game against India saw them register 272/8 -- the second-highest total any team has registered versus arguably the best bowling attack of the tournament. They should have perhaps added a few more given Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai stitched together a 121-run stand for the fourth wicket.

It wasn’t enough for two points, but 284 in their next game against England sufficed for a 69-run win. A total of 139 in pursuit of 289 against New Zealand resulted in a 149-run defeat up next. But in the last two matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, they did not show a shred of nerve while scripting successful chases of 283 and 242 respectively.