The Unlikely Rise Of Afghanistan's National Cricket Team

Yes, Afghanistan has a cricket team. The Afghanistan national cricket team represents Afghanistan in international cricket matches. The team was formed in 2001 and has been a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) since 2017. Afghanistan's playing season runs from May to September, and the sport is considered to be the most popular in the country.

The Afghanistan men's national cricket team

The Afghanistan Cricket Board was formed in 1995 and became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001. In 2003, the ACB became a member of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). In 2017, the ACB was granted full ICC membership, allowing the national team to participate in official Test matches.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board

The ACB is headquartered in Kabul, Afghanistan, and represents the country at the ICC. The board's current president is Hamid Shinwari, who assured the safety of players and their families during the Taliban takeover in 2021.

In 2016, the ACB unveiled a strategic plan to make Afghanistan a top-six ODI team by 2019 and a top-three team in both T20Is and ODIs by 2025. To achieve this, the ACB proposed securing annual bilateral matches against India and teams touring India.

Afghanistan's domestic cricket structure has grown significantly since 2011. The Inter-Provincial Tournament was expanded and reorganised into a 50-over tournament, divided into the Etisalat ODN Challenge Cup and an Elite Cup section. The ACB has also divided Afghanistan into five Cricket Regions to enable better management of the game: Amo, Spin Ghar, Band-e-Amir, Mis Ainak, and Boost.

The ACB has introduced several domestic competitions, including the Ahmad Shah Abdali 4-day Tournament, the Ghazi Amanullah Khan Regional One Day Tournament, and the Shpageeza Cricket League. In March 2024, the ACB launched a new T20 cricket competition, the Qosh Tepa National T20 Cup.

The ACB also maintained a women's national cricket team, which was first organised in 2010 but became inactive following the Taliban takeover in 2021.

Afghanistan's cricket team under fire for meeting with the Taliban

Afghan Cricket Team Under Fire for Meeting with the Taliban

Afghanistan's cricket team has come under fire for meeting with the Taliban and stating that "politics shouldn't stop sports". The team has faced backlash from fans, human rights advocates, and international cricket organisations for their decision to engage with the Taliban, who have implemented draconian human rights policies that restrict the freedoms of women and girls in Afghanistan.

A National Pastime

Cricket has become a national pastime in Afghanistan and a source of pride for the war-torn country. The sport has given the Afghan people a way to see their nation shine on the world stage, especially after the US-led invasion in 2001. The Afghanistan national cricket team was formed following this invasion and quickly rose to become serious contenders in international men's championships.

Setbacks Under the Taliban

However, since the Taliban took control of the country in 2021, the team has faced setbacks. The Taliban's regressive policies and restrictions on women have impacted the cricket team and sparked worldwide condemnation. In December 2021, the Taliban banned women from working for various organisations and from attending universities. This led to Australia's national cricket association cancelling a pre-scheduled series of matches with Afghanistan in March 2023.

International Response

Cricket Australia stated that they were committed to supporting the growth of the game for both women and men worldwide but could not proceed with the match due to the Taliban's restrictions on women's freedoms. Human Rights Watch also called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to suspend the Afghanistan Cricket Board from its membership. The ICC itself does not recognise the Taliban as a legitimate ruling force in Afghanistan and has considered suspending the Afghan team's membership.

A Complex Situation

The situation is complex, as cricket is incredibly popular in Afghanistan and provides a sense of unity and joy for its people. Some argue that banning the Afghan cricket team from international competitions would only further isolate the country and punish the players and fans who have suffered due to the conflict. The Afghanistan cricket team and board members have defended their actions, stating that politics and sports should not mix. However, others argue that the basic human rights of Afghan women and girls are at stake, and meeting with the Taliban erodes support for even the nation's most beloved cricketers.

Afghanistan's cricket team's new home in Dubai

Afghanistan's national cricket team has had to play its home games outside the country for many years due to ongoing security concerns. In 2022, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) signed a five-year deal with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to host Afghanistan's home fixtures in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This move was precipitated by the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, which deepened concerns about the safety of visiting teams.

As part of the agreement, Afghanistan will play an annual three-match T20 series against the UAE team. The ECB will also provide logistical support to the ACB, including visa assistance and office space. Afghanistan will have access to the UAE's premium cricket stadiums, such as the Dubai International Stadium, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, and Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE has served as a venue for cricket fixtures before, hosting Pakistan's 'home' matches and the 2021 T20 World Cup. The ICC is also headquartered in Dubai, and the city is home to the ICC Academy.

The Afghanistan national cricket team has experienced success in international cricket, becoming the first country to achieve Full Member status of the ICC after holding Affiliate Membership. They have participated in the Cricket World Cup multiple times and are ranked 10th in Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket as of February 2023.

Afghanistan's cricket team's ranking in Twenty20 International cricket

Afghanistan's cricket team has enjoyed a rapid growth in international cricket since their first T20I match in 2010. As of February 2023, the Afghanistan men's national cricket team is ranked 10th in Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket.

The team has experienced success in T20I cricket, with a notable victory against Ireland in Dehradun on 23 February 2019. During this match, Afghanistan scored 278/3, which is the second-highest T20I score ever.

In 2016, Afghanistan surprised many by beating the Windies in the T20I World Cup. They also hold the record for the most consecutive wins in T20I cricket, with 11 straight victories.

The Afghanistan cricket team has come a long way since its formation in the early 21st century, and their success in T20I cricket has been a significant part of their rise in international cricket.

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