When did afghanistan started playing cricket
Though Afghanistan is more often associated with conflict and strife in the international sphere, it has emerged as an enthusiastic participant in a much more peaceful pursuit – cricket. The nation’s love affair with cricket began later than most other countries. It was not until they were admitted to the ICC (International Cricket Council) as an affiliate member in 2001 that they started formal participation in international cricket events. From refugee camps to a global stage, the story of Afghanistan’s journey into cricket is indeed remarkable.
The Beginnings: Cricket in Refugee Camps
The genesis of cricket in Afghanistan emerged from the unlikeliest places – Afghan refugee camps based in Pakistan during Soviet invasion years. Young Afghans picked up the sport while living across the border, reportedly using tennis balls wrapped in tape due to lack of proper equipment. As these refugees returned home after the end of war, they brought along this newfound enthusiasm for cricket. Despite political instability and civil unrest at home, their passion persisted and eventually led to formation of first organized teams.
First Steps towards Organized Play
In 1995, Kabul created its own cricket team followed by Kandahar three years later which highlights the growing interest among locals towards this sport. Small-scale local matches begun sprouting around small districts which slowly attracted larger crowds with each passing game. However, it was primarily seen as foreign import and received notable opposition from conservative groups who regarded this as negative influence from bordering nations.
Afghanistan’s Entry into World Cricket
Post fall of Taliban regime in 2001, a historic step was taken when Afghanistan became an affiliate member of BBC-recognised world governing body ICC marking official acceptance into prestigious circle of international cricket. This gave them access to training facilities, financial support and authority to compete against other recognized national teams on global platforms such as World Cup events.
Full Video in Youtube
The Climb and Success
The Afghanistan cricket team’s journey hasn’t been smooth. The first international tournament they participated in was the 2009 World Cup Qualifier, where they finished fifth. Despite their setbacks, the determination of players thrust them into limelight as a promising troop. In following years, they achieved ODI (One Day International) status and later graduated to Full Member status in ICC by 2017.
Cricket Today: National Pride
Cricket has evolved from being an imported sport to symbolizing national pride for Afghanistan. Its rapid transition despite adversities reflects not only resilience of Afghan cricketers but also enthusiasm among citizens who have embraced this game against all odds. Winning against powerhouses like Zimbabwe or Bangladesh bolsters national morale reminding onlookers about potential lying beneath war-torn surface of this nation.
A Crux on Future Horizons
Though their entry to cricket world is pretty recent compared to other countries, Afghanistan demonstrated immense progress and promise. Their success stories inspire young talents inspiring them to pursue cricketing careers adding fresh blood into ever-evolving face of Afghan cricket scene providing a much-needed distraction from political disruption crowding daily lives.
To sum it up, Cricket might have started with humble beginnings in refugee camps, but today it signifies triumph, joy and unity for Afghans while projecting a spectacular illustration of love for sports within international community.
