Moments that made March 2018 an eventful month for cricket 

The month of March has seen many ups and downs in international cricket. While some teams triumphed from impossible situations, others were involved in controversial incidents both on and off the field.

Here is a look at a few incidents which made March an eventful month for the game of cricket:

#4 Last-over drama - Nidahas Trophy, Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka

The virtual semi-final in the Nidahas Trophy between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh was not short on drama. With 12 needed to win off the final over, Sri Lankan pacer, Isuru Udana, bowled a short ball. Bangladesh were under the impression that the square leg umpire had signaled a no-ball, which was not given, however. During the confusion, Mustafizur Rahman was run out.

This led to frustration in the Bangladesh camp and their skipper Shakib Al Hasan instructed the batsmen at the crease to come off the field. However, the game went on and Mahmudullah won it for Sri Lanka by striking a match-winning 43 runs off 18 balls.

Shakib later admitted that he would need to control his emotions in the future.

#3 Dinesh Karthik's heroics

Dinesh Karthik guided India to victory in the Nidahas Trophy

Dinesh Karthik has, in his 14-year stop-start international career, seen many batsmen finishing games for Team India. However, the night of 18th March 2018 witnessed the birth of another finisher in the Indian team, Karthik himself.

With M.S. Dhoni rested for the Nidahas Trophy, the team management persisted with Karthik in the series. In the final against Bangladesh, India needed 34 to win off the last 12 balls with Karthik having just arrived at the crease.

The 32-year-old keeper-batsman kept his cool and scored an unbeaten 29 off 8 balls to guide India to victory from an improbable position. With 5 required to win off the final delivery, a calm and composed Karthik smashed a six, guiding India to a famous win over Bangladesh.

#2 The series of controversies - Australia vs South Africa

Steve Smith has been banned for a year by Cricket Australia

The 4-match Test series between Australia and South Africa in 2018 will always be remembered for the wrong reasons.

The first three Test matches witnessed many controversies. During the tea interval of the first Test at Durban, there was a heated exchange of words between David Warner and Quinton de Kock as the players made their way to the dressing rooms. While de Kock was charged with a Level 1 offence, Warner was hit with a Level 2 offence.

If this were not enough, the second Test, at Port Elizabeth, witnessed another incident which took the cricket community by surprise. South African pacer Kagiso Rabada was found guilty of deliberately making contact with the then Australian skipper Steve Smith which was a Level 2 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct for which he was handed 3 demerit points and a two-match ban. However, the ban was overturned on appeal and Rabada was cleared to play the remaining matches of the series.

The Cape Town Test that followed is probably the darkest in the history of Australian cricket. Opener Cameron Bancroft attempted to use sandpaper to change the condition of the ball on the third day of the Test. Skipper Smith then admitted that the 'leadership group' was aware of the proceedings. As a result, the ICC suspended Smith for a Test. However, Cricket Australia handed a year's ban to both Smith and Warner for their involvement and a ban of 9 months for Bancroft.

#1 Afghanistan's fairytale

Afghanistan qualified for the 2019 World Cup

The 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe saw many games going down to the wire. With 2 places up for grabs in the 2019 World Cup, the tournament was supposed to be a tightly-contested one.

Afghanistan were one of the favorites before the tournament started, however, they got off to a disastrous start, losing the first three matches to Hong Kong, Scotland and Zimbabwe respectively. They managed to qualify for the Super Sixes by virtue of a win over Nepal.

Having qualified for the Super Sixes without a point, the Afghans managed to defeat West Indies, UAE and Ireland to book a place in the 2019 World Cup. UAE needed to defeat Zimbabwe which they did and then there was no looking back for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan beat West Indies by 7 wickets in the final at Harare to be crowned champions in the ICC World Cup qualifiers.