It was great to hear that Afghanistan beat Bangladesh in a one-day international game at the Asia Cup tournament currently being played. It marks the first time Afghanistan had beaten a Test playing nation since the national team was formed in 2001. For a weary war-torn country, achievements in seemingly frivolous pastimes can be quite a morale booster.

What makes this even more noteworthy is that the tournament is being played in Bangladesh, so they had to overcome the opponent’s home-field advantage.

Even though they lost the next game to Sri Lanka, this win will undoubtedly give them a boost as they prepare for their first World Cup tournament in 2015.

Sri Lanka has made it to the finals of the five-nation tournament and will likely face Pakistan, with India and Afghanistan having just a slim chance of edging Pakistan out. The way I read the points table, for Afghanistan to have a chance of making the final, Pakistan would have to lose to Bangladesh tomorrow and Afghanistan would have to convincingly beat India on Wednesday.