Cricket Fever Grips Afghanistan After Surprise Win Over Australia
Khost, Afghanistan – 2 days ago
The streets of Khost near the Pakistan border were a sea of celebration as Afghanistan’s cricket team pulled off a stunning victory over powerhouse Australia in the T20 World Cup. It was the first time the war-torn nation had triumphed over the cricketing superpower, igniting a sense of national pride and hope.
“It is a great moment, not only for me but my nation, my people,” said Gulbadin Naib, awarded the player-of-the-match.
Captain Rashid Khan echoed this sentiment, noting that the win would “give people back home so much hope,” as cricket remains a crucial source of joy for Afghans.
The roots of cricket in Afghanistan can be traced back to 1839, when British troops engaged in the Anglo-Afghan War took a break to play the sport in Kabul. However, it wasn’t until the mid-1990s that the game truly began to take hold, fueled by Afghans returning from refugee camps in Pakistan with a newfound passion.
The Afghan Cricket Board was established in 1995, a year before the Taliban’s first stint in power. The national team was formed after the Taliban’s ousting in 2001, and the country became a member of the International Cricket Council in 2017. They now represent the nation with the black, red, and green flag, rather than the white flag associated with the Taliban’s recent return to power.
Despite the country’s restrictions on women’s rights, the Afghan team’s triumph has resonated across the nation. Firooza Afghan, a female cricketer who was granted an emergency visa to Australia, celebrated the victory, acknowledging the team’s talent and ability, even as women face growing challenges to participate in the sport.
As Rashid Khan’s side continues their T20 World Cup campaign, facing Bangladesh in their final Super 8s match, the country remains firmly back in contention for a semi-final spot. This historic win has undoubtedly ignited a new wave of cricket fever in Afghanistan, a nation whose passion for the sport continues to blossom.
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