Afghan refugees first got hooked to cricket in camps in Pakistan. Now, they are a Testplaying nation. The ACB and ICC don’t want a repeat of the Bangladesh story. So, the real test awaits
The month of Ramadan was particularly bloody for Afghanistan. The string of truck bombs and suicide bombers did not discriminate among civilians, soldiers and policemen. A relatively quiet Eid ul-Fitr came as a blessing.
Actually, Eid celebrations started a few days earlier, on June 22, thanks to the International Cricket Council granting full membership and Test status to Afghanistan. Cricket-loving Afghans cut cakes and took to the streets in jubilation. Afghanistan Cricket Board Chairman Atif Mashal and CEO Shafiq Stanikzai returned from the ICC Full Council in London to a red carpet welcome in Kabul. Afghanistan president Ashraf Ghani met Mashal and Stanikzai, and conveyed his pleasure. Stanikzai summed it up best: “It was a perfect Eid gift.”
Afghan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi’s tweet conveyed players’ sentiments: “Finally our hard work pays off and the dream of ICC full membership comes true. Can’t control my sentiments.”
Of course, it is a milestone for Afghanistan and Ireland, to be welcomed by the clannish international cricketing fraternity. But Afghanistan’s rise was far from simple. From getting hooked to cricket in refugee camps in Pakistan to becoming a Test-playing nation, Afghans did it in two decades flat. The national side trained in the United Arab Emirates, and, now in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
The architects of this rise are both in the ACB, and in the field—from Nowroz Mangal, the first Afghan skipper in 2007, to Noor Ali, who scored centuries in both innings of their first class debut at the Intercontinental Cup in 2009, to the current sensation, all-rounder Rashid Khan.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 09, 2017-Ausgabe von THE WEEK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 09, 2017-Ausgabe von THE WEEK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Ram temple not an issue in south
Much has been said this election season about the alleged north-south divide.
Haute and sweaty
In Mumbai, where I live and work, there is a severe heatwave going on. The highest temperature this month has been 40 degrees, sweltering and humid for the coastal city.
MOVE AWAY MARY!
In many parts of the world,unique names are becoming popular
CALL OF THE WILD
Tejas Thackeray, the younger son of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, shares his passion for wildlife conservation and photography
CEPA and beyond
Bilateral trade between the UAE and India has grown almost 16 per cent year-on-year, touching $84.5 billion
Brash and raw
When I chanced upon Raj Narain, who humbled Indira Gandhi
Lone voice of dissent
“I am keen to invite Parakala [Prabhakar] to Mumbai… What do you think? Do you know him?” A friend asked. No, I don’t know the man. And no, it is not a good idea to invite him, unless you want to invite trouble, I replied.
Modi and the Muslim syndrome
I have long been intrigued by the prime minister’s desire to hug every passing sheikh and sultan and his contrasting contempt for the ordinary Indian Muslim.
Assam Rifles not trained to guard borders; need separate force for Manipur border
Imphal is blanketed in darkness. The sun has set a little too soon in the valley, but N. Biren Singh is yet to call it a day.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENTINELS
Manipur government wants the Assam Rifles replaced, but the Union home ministry is focused on upgrading infrastructure and connectivity before deciding who guards the state