Rain can’t dampen sense of occasion in landmark MCC-Afghan match

As the heavens opened over Lord’s to bring a premature end to this historic match, the players and hordes of fans rushing for cover were able to reflect on the joyous symbolism attached to an event that will live on well after the outfields dry and the Afghanistan team departs England for greater challenges ahead.

Just as Ireland appeared in a richly emblematic ODI earlier in the summer at Lord’s, so it was the turn of Afghanistan to be inducted into cricket’s spiritual home. Both teams have been awarded Test match status this year on account of becoming full members of the ICC, and this match today had the feel and impression of a coronation.

The downpour over Lord’s was ultimately immaterial: the mere presence of the Afghanistan cricket team, taking the field against a star-studded MCC team, featuring Brendon McCullum, Misbah-ul-Haq and Shiv Chanderpaul amongst others, was the perfect culmination of their extraordinary story.

The game itself saw MCC struggle to 217-6 from their 40 overs, with Warwickshire’s Sam Hain top-scoring with 76. As so often, the giant left-arm seamer Shapoor Zadran was the Afghan spearhead, taking three wickets, including McCullum and Misbah in his first spell. Meanwhile Rashid Khan, the teenage sensation with magic in his wrists, picked up Samit Patel for 53. Rashid, already an IPL star, will be appearing plenty more times at Lord’s in the future.

Just five overs of Afghanistan’s reply were possible before the umpires called an end to proceedings, but the result itself was inconsequential: the occasion was all.