G
gilliam
Guest
KABUL: Cricket is a sport which is becoming increasingly popular in Afghanistan.
The talent is quite remarkable and in a country where cricket facilities are practically non-existent, the interest in the sport bodes well for the future.
“There are naturally talented cricketers here. They have learned from television. There is no ground here as such, but we are trying despite the struggle,” said Allah Nad Noori of the Afghanistan Cricket Association.
Tough conditions.
At the moment, the Afghan Cricket Board is funded by the Asian Cricket Council and a US$ 5,000 grant has helped the board buy basic equipment including a handful of cricket kits.
Many of the aspiring young cricketers were refugees in Pakistan during the Taliban era and some were trained in clubs in Peshawar just across the border.
Today, they return to a new Afghanistan where they can not only play the game but inspire others to take up the sport.
Following the heroes.
It’s only natural that most of these cricketers model themselves on Pakistani cricketers like Waqar, Wasim and Razzaq.
The Taliban used to carry out public executions in the infamous Kabul stadium. Today, young cricketers just across the street from the stadium are trying to get into their under-17 side. And in just a few weeks from now, the Afghan under-17 team will be in India to participate in an international tournament.
paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=88754
The talent is quite remarkable and in a country where cricket facilities are practically non-existent, the interest in the sport bodes well for the future.
“There are naturally talented cricketers here. They have learned from television. There is no ground here as such, but we are trying despite the struggle,” said Allah Nad Noori of the Afghanistan Cricket Association.
Tough conditions.
At the moment, the Afghan Cricket Board is funded by the Asian Cricket Council and a US$ 5,000 grant has helped the board buy basic equipment including a handful of cricket kits.
Many of the aspiring young cricketers were refugees in Pakistan during the Taliban era and some were trained in clubs in Peshawar just across the border.
Today, they return to a new Afghanistan where they can not only play the game but inspire others to take up the sport.
Following the heroes.
It’s only natural that most of these cricketers model themselves on Pakistani cricketers like Waqar, Wasim and Razzaq.
The Taliban used to carry out public executions in the infamous Kabul stadium. Today, young cricketers just across the street from the stadium are trying to get into their under-17 side. And in just a few weeks from now, the Afghan under-17 team will be in India to participate in an international tournament.
paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=88754