Cricket

Afghan cricket fans flocked to the Kabul International Cricket Stadium in droves to witness the return of their national heroes to the domestic T20 league. Basit Wali Hotak, a student from Kandahar, embarked on an overnight journey to catch a glimpse of his idol, Rashid Khan.The Shpageeza T20 league has ignited a renewed passion for cricket in Afghanistan, a country that has found solace in the sport amidst decades of conflict. Thousands of fans, including Hotak, endured long journeys and spent their hard-earned money to witness the stars in action.Despite the absence of Khan and other top players in the match between the Speenghar Tigers and Mis-e-Ainak Knights, the crowd erupted in cheers when the Afghan captain appeared in the dugout. The stadium reverberated with chants of "heroes, long live heroes" as fans expressed their admiration for their national team.Former captain Mohammad Nabi took to the pitch, facing off against his son, Hassan Eisakhil, in a heartwarming moment. The presence of Afghan national players in the league has raised hopes that international teams may return to Afghanistan, a prospect that would further boost the country's cricket culture."If they (national players) play games here, the international teams will also come to play here, because it shows security has been ensured," said 19-year-old Abdul Ahad.For fans like Kamil Shah Mashal, who traveled hours from Khost, cricket provides a much-needed escape from the challenges facing Afghanistan. "I don't see any other reason for young people to be happy in the current situation because of the crises that have made some of them flee the country," he said. "It's only cricket left that keeps us happy."The return of national players to the domestic league has not only reignited the passion for cricket but also instilled a sense of hope and pride in Afghan fans. As the country navigates its future, the sport continues to serve as a beacon of unity and a source of joy for its people.

Afghan Women Cricketers Seek ICC Support for Refugee TeamIn the wake of the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, 17 female cricketers who were contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) in 2020 have appealed to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for assistance in establishing a refugee team based in Australia.The players, who have been unable to represent their country since the Taliban banned women from participating in sports, have requested the ICC's "support and guidance" in formalizing their team. They acknowledge that the ACB cannot recognize them as a national team due to government policies.Instead, the players have proposed being administered by the East Asian Cricket office based at Cricket Australia as a refugee team. This would allow them to "represent all Afghan women who dream of playing cricket but are unable to in Afghanistan."The players' request comes as the Afghan men's cricket team has achieved unprecedented success, reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. While expressing pride in the men's achievements, the women's players lamented their own inability to represent their country."A profound sadness remains that we, as women, cannot represent our country like the male cricketers," they wrote in a letter to ICC Chair Greg Barclay.The ICC currently cannot offer the players official status because it relies on individual boards to compile and recognize teams. The ACB, due to the Taliban's stance on women, cannot recognize a women's team.To address this, the exiled players have requested recognition as a refugee team. They emphasize that only Afghan refugee cricketers would be included in their proposed set-up."Our goals in having a refugee team are to develop and showcase our talent, give hope to the women remaining in Afghanistan, and to draw attention to the challenges women of Afghanistan face," the players stated.The ICC has been contacted for comment on the players' request.