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Recent Achievements: Third in ACC Rankings for 2011 and 2012 seasons
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In 2012 ODIs were played against Pakistan and Australia from which, despite their losses, Afghanistan emerged with credit and they impressed in patches in the ICC World Twenty20. In 2014 in the Arise Asia Cup they pushed Pakistan hard, impressed all with their bowling and beat Bangladesh. Never a part of the British Empire, it was only in the camps established during the Afghan Wars of Liberation against invading Russia, in the North West Frontier Province region of Pakistan from 1979 onwards, that cricket first became popular amongst the displaced Afghans. Afghanistan’s cricket from their appearance in the 2004 ACC Trophy, has seen them progress from being a disorganised rag-tag band of nomadic hitters into a well-balanced team that has impressed mightily on the world stage has won the respect and affection of millions. With the highest proportion of school-age children in the world, one in five, and 50% of the country below the age of 18, 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 since 2009 and the game is being taken to outlying provinces and they are setting an inspirational example to their neighbours as well. A National Academy has been built in Kabul to secure the development of the next generation – with an Australian coach, teams are being picked on merit and the players are left to do what they do best – play cricket. The players themselves are in demand to play in the domestic leagues of Pakistan, Bangladesh, West Indies and the UAE. 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. This is where they continue to play the bulk of their first-class and ODI cricket. The Pakistan Cricket Board has also been providing them with coaching and training facilities. |
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| AFGHANISTAN CRICKET BOARD (ACB) In front of Kabul Nandari Chaman Hozori Kabul Afghanistan Tel: +93 799 041858 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: http://www.cricket.af/ |
"I had a creative mind and would always be thinking of how to make my bowling better. What would happen if I do this? Or that?" Saqlain Mushtaq
