by Anura Guruge
on August 14, 2021
Follow Anura Guruge on WordPress.com
Yes, I fully understand that in the overall scheme of things ‘Afghan cricket‘ is far from significant. But, somebody has to make sure, especially when it comes to the U.S., that it isn’t overlooked.
The irony is that Afghan cricket made GIGANTIC strides over the last 20-years when there was some peace & stability in the country.
They even became one of the TWELVE (& only twelve) Test playing nations. Just twelve nations in the whole world & Afghanistan is one of them. This select group consist of:
Look at that list. Not bad company to keep & they were only granted entry just 3-years ago.
They have an International series against Pakistan starting in September & another against Australia in November.
I am not sure whether the September series will happen.
Three of their BIGGEST stars are currently in England playing County Cricket. They have all, judiciously or otherwise, spoken up against the Taliban. I doubt whether they can go back to Afghanistan. The Taliban, most likely, will behead them. Maybe they did what they did, so that they can — EASILY — seek asylum. I wish them the best. They are nice blokes.
Afghan cricket has been mentioned in the U.S. Senate! I kid you not. I think it was Rand Paul. He objected to U.S. aid being used to promote Afghan cricket.
My goal here is just to make sure that we do NOT forget Afghan cricket or the cricketers. Yes, there are much bigger issues at stake. I appreciate that. But, we should not forget the plight of Afghan cricket.
