History of Afghanistan Cricket:
Cricket sport is popular in Indian-subcontinent and Afghanistan is another country where cricket was played in mid nineteen century. ACB (Afghanistan Cricket Board) was officially formed in 1995. Afghanistan national cricket team was formed in 2001, most of the players were playing cricket in streets in Afghanistan. Some of players were immigrant in Pakistan and were playing cricket locally. After becoming an affiliate member of International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001, Afghanistan cricket soon joined Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in 2003. Afghanistan become ICC associate member in June, 2013.Cricket has become the biggest sport in Afghanistan and cricket fans are multiplying in numbers with every success of Afghanistan cricket team.
Rise of AFG Cricket Team:
Afghanistan cricket rise in 2010 was magnificent. Afghanistan won their first intercontinental tournament and qualified for ICC World T20 in 2010 which was the first major assignment for AFG cricket team. Cricket team gained ICC ODI status in 2011 for next four years. Afghanistan also played in World Cup T20 in 2012 but lost all the matches. Afghanistan was the rising star in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, they recorded their first ever win in major tournament by beating Scotland. Afghanistan last participation in global tournament was in ICC T20 World Cup, 2016 in India where AFG defeated full strength and eventual champions West Indies team. Afghanistan cricket team was ranked 9th in ICC T20 cricket team, ahead of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in July, 2015.
Former Pakistani skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq was Afghanistan cricket team head coach for six months in 2016. Inzi era as head coach was one of the most successful spell in afghan cricket history. Afghanistan won 12 out of 17 T20 international played in 2016. Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe in 5 T20 and upset world champions West Indies in 1 T20 match. During Inzamam's stint, Afghanistan won 6 out of 10 one day international matches.
Afghanistan Cricket Development:
Pakistan Cricket Board provided some assistance to Afghanistan cricket team inform of technical and professional support. AFG team was trained at National Cricket Academy (NCA), Pakistan and team was provided educational programs regarding cricket game, codes of conducts (anti-corruption, doping), mental and physical strength etc., Afghanistan batsman were happy to score 30-40 runs and getting out but now their approach towards game is changed. Winning games is the ultimate objective and playing longer innings.
Afghanistan Cricket Board is striving hard to develop cricket in Afghanistan from grass root level. Afghanistan has developed around 40 cricket grounds through out the country and some of them have turf pitches; cricket stadium is established in Jalalabad. ACB has set target of making Afghanistan cricket team on of the top six in ICC ODI ranking by 2019. Longer term aim is to become on of the top three teams in ODI and T20 ranking by 2025. Afghanistan is in negotiation with BCCI to make India home ground for Afghanistan cricket and playing more bi-lateral matches against India and countries touring India. Ireland is enjoying the same benefit by playing against cricket countries touring England.
Afghanistan Cricket Board is striving hard to develop cricket in Afghanistan from grass root level. Afghanistan has developed around 40 cricket grounds through out the country and some of them have turf pitches; cricket stadium is established in Jalalabad. ACB has set target of making Afghanistan cricket team on of the top six in ICC ODI ranking by 2019. Longer term aim is to become on of the top three teams in ODI and T20 ranking by 2025. Afghanistan is in negotiation with BCCI to make India home ground for Afghanistan cricket and playing more bi-lateral matches against India and countries touring India. Ireland is enjoying the same benefit by playing against cricket countries touring England.
Afghanistan Cricket Team Success:
Afghanistan won their first historic ODI series against full member Zimbabwe in Feb, 2015. Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe in one day international series 3-2. Afghanistan lost bilateral ODI series against Bangladesh (Sept - Oct, 2016) 1-2. Afghanistan is ranked No. 10 in ICC ODI ranking (Oct, 2016) with 52 rating from 25 ODI matches; Afghanistan is ahead of Zimbabwe and Ireland in ODI ranking. Afghanistan performance in T20 cricket is bit better than ODI. Afghanistan is ranked No. 9 in ICC T20 ranking (Oct, 2016) with 78 rating from 22 T20 matches. Afghanistan cricket team is ahead of Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Ireland in T20 ranking.
Afghanistan Cricket Squad (Oct, 2016): Asghar Stanikzai (captain), Mohammad Shahzad (wicket keeper), Rahmat Shah, Mirwais Ashraf, Dawlat Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shenwari, Rashid Khan, Hashmatullah Shaidi, Fareed Ahmad, Amir Hamza, Najibullah Zadran, Nawroz Mangal, Naveen-ul-Haq, Karim Janat, Shabir Noori and Ihsanullah.
Afghanistan cricket team started their journey from street players to affiliate nation. Afghanistan become associate nation and participated in World Cup T20 and ICC Cricket World Cup. Afghanistan achieved ODI status in 2011 and currently ranked higher than Zimbabwe in ODI and higher than Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in ICC T20 ranking.
Afghanistan Cricket Squad (Oct, 2016): Asghar Stanikzai (captain), Mohammad Shahzad (wicket keeper), Rahmat Shah, Mirwais Ashraf, Dawlat Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shenwari, Rashid Khan, Hashmatullah Shaidi, Fareed Ahmad, Amir Hamza, Najibullah Zadran, Nawroz Mangal, Naveen-ul-Haq, Karim Janat, Shabir Noori and Ihsanullah.
Afghanistan cricket team started their journey from street players to affiliate nation. Afghanistan become associate nation and participated in World Cup T20 and ICC Cricket World Cup. Afghanistan achieved ODI status in 2011 and currently ranked higher than Zimbabwe in ODI and higher than Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in ICC T20 ranking.
They deserve to be in top 6 and inshallah they can do it the way they are going :)
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