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Recent Achievements:
Twelfth in ICC ODI Rankings, Twelfth in ICC T20I Rankings
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2014 was arguably the best year for Afghanistan with three ACC tournament victories sandwiching the Arise Asia Cup where they pushed Pakistan hard, troubled Sri Lanka, impressed all with their bowling and beat Bangladesh, and then the Asian Games where they won silver for the second time, this time to Sri Lanka. 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 and 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 where they are setting an inspirational example to their neighbours as well. Cricket has become part of the national sports curriculum at schools, a fact that was recognised by Afghanistan winning the ICC Development Award for 2013. 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, and the UAE. There are two stadiums of a very high standard in the country with numerous other facilities springing up. 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 under a renewed MoU signed in 2013. |
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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/ |
"The scary thing but also the best thing if you succeed, is the risk of failure." Dustin Hoffman
