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Recent Achievements: Fourth in ACC Rankings for 2009 and 2010 seasons
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Never a part of the British Empire, it was only in the camps established during the Afghan Wars of Liberation in the North West Frontier Province region of Pakistan from 1979 onwards, that cricket first became popular amongst the displaced Afghans. From zero-access to cricket 10 years ago, and with precious little other sport on offer in the country, Afghanistan’s international success is generating tremendous interest. With the highest proportion of school-age children in the world, one in five, according to the United Nations and 60% of the country below age of 21, there is huge potential for cricket to play a huge part in establishing sport as a social force in Afghanistan. Indeed, junior playing numbers have increased substantially in the country in 2010. Robin Marlar, President of Marylebone Cricket Club, said in 2006 that there are a couple of Afghan cricketers already good enough to play Test cricket. Current MCC committee member and former England cricketer Matthew Fleming visited Kabul in November 2007 and said that “If Afghanistan played England in Twenty20 cricket, they would win at least one match out of ten.” At the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies which England duly won in May 2010, Afghanistan performed creditably in the field in their two matches against India and South Africa. Once it becomes apparent to the newly-formed Afghanistan Cricket Board themselves that 'one out of ten' actually under-estimates their potential, then deep-rooted improvements can be made. As their then coach former Pakistan international Kabir Khan said at the start of 2009, "it is just raw talent because there is no real infrastructure back there." Much needed improvements are being made to their domestic structure as it has become a matter of national pride that cricket continues to flourish in the country. 34 grounds have sprung up in the past year, funded by the public and private sector. In February 2010 Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the Middle East was given to Afghanistan for use as their ‘home ground’ for training and matches by Abdulrahman Bukhatir, founder of cricket in Sharjah and a prime mover behind Dubai Sports City. In June 2011, Afghanistan had its first full-sized international standard cricket ground at Jalalabad funded by the ACC, ACB and a local businessman. More are under construction around the country. |
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| AFGHANISTAN CRICKET BOARD (ACB) Shah-re-naw Ismat Muslim Street Kabul Afghanistan Phone: + 93 799 415533 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Web: www.afghancricket.af |
"Excellence is what moves you to the top. And hard work doing the right things is what makes you excellent."
