The Afghanistan team's mentor and assistant coach ex-Indian captain Ajay Jadeja, joined them in a short-term role just a week before the tournament, which evidently had a huge impact on them. Afganistan scripted history in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai as they won by eight-wickets over Pakistan. This is the first time ever in the history of ODI cricket that Afghanistan has managed to defeat the Men in Green, as they lost all of the previous seven games.

Jadeja had confidence in the Afgan team's capability to perform something special in the World Cup. His recent comment of him backing Afganistan cricket went viral after the win. He mentioned that compared to other teams with hundred years of history, the almost twenty years of history of Afganistan cricket is brief and that this is a journey that is ongoing. He said, “Jis din gira denge usdin yeh badi team ho jaegi (the day Afganistan overthrow the other big teams that day they will become big team themselves)”.

Afganistan have two wins from five matches and sit at the sixth spot on the points table. After the win, Jadeja was evidently in a ecstatic mood and could barely hide his excitement as he met the players and other members of the coaching staff. 

Jadeja played a pivotal part in India's incredible victory in the 1996 World Cup Quarter-Final against Pakistan. He swiped one of the finest innings by an Indian in a World Cup as he smashed the famous Pakistan bowling attack to all corners with a 25-ball 45 to help India post a huge total of 287 on the scoreboard.

Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar praised Afghanistan in the social media for their splendid performance and applauded the "influence" of Ajay Jadeja. "Afghanistan's performance at this World Cup has been nothing short of outstanding. Their discipline with the bat, the temperament they've shown, and aggressive running between the wickets reflect their hard work. It could possibly be due to a certain Mr. Ajay Jadeja's influence," wrote Tendulkar in X.

He further added, "With a formidable bowling lineup, their victories over teams like England and Pakistan indicate the emergence of a new Afghanistan team. The cricket world is taking note. Well done! #PAKvsAFG.”

Alongside Sachin, Malik too believes that Jadeja is one of the factors behind Afghanistan's rise in the World Cup. He also revealed that he is a great admirer of Jadeja's cricketing brain.