i watched a test once on St.Croix but didn't understand the rules... more fun to watch than soccer
Posted on 12/31/2004 3:40:21 PM PST by Straight Vermonter
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.
Oh, dear God, no!
i watched a test once on St.Croix but didn't understand the rules... more fun to watch than soccer
Any game that can go on for four days and still end in a draw is not something that should be encouraged.
Oops, wrong cricket.
LOL! Agree. Why didn't we ship over a boatload of bats balls and gloves? The Braves will need some new talent down the road.
It is not Bush's fault. It is the fault of the British!
Cricket, soccer, hockey... it's good to see the Afghan youth embracing sports, an activity outlawed during the Taliban years.
I recommend that we offer a football or mit/glove & bat for every assault rifle handed in.
Yup that should do it!
"Today, they return to a new Afghanistan where they can not only play the game but inspire others to take up the sport."
All thanks to the brave men and women of our Military, without them this would never have been possible.
Woo hoo! This is good news.
yeah... right??? they should try Hurling...
Isn't Pakistan's National Team one of the world powers in the sport?
Probably. It's a proud British Cricket tradition to get their arses kicked by their former colonies.
Too slow. I'd rather watch buskashi.
Pakistan have certainly been one of the major cricket powers but are not doing as well recently. Australia are number 1 and at the moment England are number 2. England's record for 2004 was won 11 drawn 2 lost 0. Anyway, it is great that the Afghans are playing cricket. Marvellous news.
Wasn't there a bit of a stink about the Paki team? Some sort of cheating?
The taliban did allow soccer, but under very heavy rules (i.e. no shorts, girls couldn't play, guys had to wear long sleeve shirts, etc), and the taliban had some other sport which was the national sport of the afghanistan.
I kid you not, the other sport was played like polo, but the ball was the head of a goat and the game was on horseback.
He's the first Muslim I know whose name is Allah... How could he avoid being killed by the Talibans with such blasphemy?
Cricket!? It's true ... we have bungled the aftermath of the war.
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