Five Afghan greats who could not play their country's first test match

#3 Samiullah Shenwari

Afghanistan v Scotland - 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup

Shenwari will go down in Afghan folklore as the hero of their glorious maiden World Cup triumph, chasing 210 with the team at one stage 7/97, Shenwari staged a majestic comeback all on his own as he weathered the pressure of the on-fire duo of Ali Evans and Josh Davey. A patient 96(147) ensured that he almost got Afghanistan over the line but got dismissed 14 agonizing runs short of the target, however, the job was eventually done and Shenwari hailed as the major orchestrator.

His temperament and penchant to keep his nerves in check in the face of the big occasions should have mandated his inclusion into the side, but with a settled middle order having better first-class cricket track from their I-Cup days meant that Shenwari could not find a place in the side and had to settle for his exploits of the past.