Sport

Afghanistan’s dazzling World Cup 2023 run captivates cricket

Published

2 years ago

November 9, 2023

Afghanistan’s dream run in the Cricket World Cup includes victories against former champions England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Tuesday’s defeat to Australia may have dented their semi-final hopes, but the stunning campaign of players from a war-weary nation whose government nobody recognises has captured the cricketing world’s attention and brought joy to fans, BBC reported.

At the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday, Afghanistan were poised to create another miracle.

The youthful team – 11 of their 15 players are under the age of 25 – playing only their third ODI World Cup, had Australia on the ropes. They had reduced the five-time world champions, chasing a target of 292, to a precarious 91-7, BBC reported.

But then the miracle changed hands. Braving cramps, Australia’s swashbuckling batter Glenn Maxwell took his team to a stunning win with an unbeaten double hundred, a feat of fearless hitting and human endurance.

“Really disappointed. Cricket is a funny game, it was unbelievable,” Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi told media after the match.

But it’s Afghanistan’s rise in one-day international cricket that has been more unbelievable for the team and their fans alike.

Before 2023, Afghanistan had secured only one victory across two World Cup tournaments after their qualification in 2015. Now they have won four, including one each against defending champions England and former winners Pakistan, where some of the Afghan players first encountered the game as refugees.

“Their progress has been sensational. What Afghanistan has done in 25 years, climbing from the bottom of the qualifying leagues to almost making it to the semis of a World Cup, other teams take 60-70 years,” Sidharth Monga, a senior cricket writer at ESPNcricinfo, told the BBC.

The team is operating in highly unusual circumstances – the flag they play under and the anthem they sing are of the former Afghan republic, which fell after the Islamic Emirate takeover in 2021.

But the IEA government now in power recognises the team and the Afghanistan Cricket Board gives credit to them too.

“They [the IEA] give us a free hand. Last year when we were facing financial difficulties, they gave us $1.2m,” Naseeb Khan, CEO of the board, told the BBC.

Despite the challenges, Afghanistan have made miracles happen at the World Cup. Like on Tuesday when 21-year-old Ibrahim Zadran became the first Afghan to score a World Cup century, hours after a pep talk from Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar. Or when they pulled off a major upset by defeating England early in the tournament.

The team’s fairy-tale run proves they are not underdogs or just lucky; they can beat any country on a good day, says Raees Ahmadzai, a former Afghanistan captain who is now the team’s assistant coach, BBC reported.

“The way Afghans love the sport is almost divine and it’s that love which guides us,” he told the BBC.

Monga says that since the team was formed in 2001, Afghanistan have had an impressive bowling line-up which can restrict the opposition at different phases. But the biggest improvement has been their batting.

Afghanistan’s batters have displayed composure and maturity. They have built their innings slowly and calmly chased targets.

Consider the match against Pakistan when Afghanistan were chasing a decent score of 282 against a formidable bowling attack. After an explosive start, Shahidi played sedately through the middle of the innings, making sure to keep up with the run-rate without taking unnecessary risks. Afghanistan won by eight wickets, BBC stated.

“The beauty right now is that you can’t pick out three or four big stars, it’s a team where everyone is contributing. And their wins have not come as a shock. They have smoothly chased down totals,” Monga says.

The improvement comes from decades of hard work, aided by a growing domestic cricket structure and increasing international exposure, BBC’s Zoya Mateen writes.

Afghanistan has thousands of cricket clubs spread across 34 provinces which select talent at various levels, starting from school to T20 leagues. Domestic matches are played in five stadiums in Kabul, Jalalabad and Khost and some 15 smaller cricket grounds.
Half-a-dozen Afghan cricketers play in international T20 leagues along with smaller international tournaments in Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Caribbean.

Naseeb Khan of the Afghanistan Cricket Board says the team has benefited massively from thriving cricketing facilities in their own country.

Unlike earlier, when the cricketers mostly lived and trained in India and Dubai, he told the BBC the players now reside at home and train at “high-quality” facilities. “Every international player has to participate in our domestic events when they have no international commitments.”

The team’s ascent is also a sign of how far Afghanistan have come as a cricket-loving nation, Ahmadzai told BBC.

“We learned cricket in exile, with nothing but a twinkling of hope on our side. But this generation is a product of Afghanistan. We trained them there.”

Unlike India and Pakistan, cricket’s popularity in Afghanistan is more recent. Its earliest players learned the game as refugees in Pakistan after the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

When they returned home, they brought the game with them but it wasn’t easy. The team has weathered years of war, bomb blasts and abductions of loved ones as they played.

“The fear never left us. Just like life itself, the game’s future hung in the balance,” Ahmadzai says.

Even in the 1990s, when the IEA first came to power, they did not stop men from playing cricket – cricketers were seen to be “more modestly dressed” compared with other athletes, Monga says.

Fast forward to now when the players have become celebrities at home, their posters on billboards and their on-field skills etched in the minds of young Afghans, including Ahmadzai’s son who dreams of bowling like star leg-spinner Rashid Khan one day, BBC’s Zoya Mateen writes.

Afghan fans say the team’s performance has given them a reason to dream again and the feeling is even more special for thousands of Afghans in India for whom the team’s performance is a rare source of happiness amid worries about the future.

“When there is cricket, there is hope, even for a weary nation like ours,” Farshid Mohammad, who moved to India three years ago, tells Mateen.

“When it comes to Afghanistan, my children only know about the doom and gloom there. The World Cup is our ray of hope,” Mohammad says.

But Mateen writes that it’s hard to say what comes next for the team. Ideally, they want to play more bilateral tournaments, but Monga says many boards might not want to play against Afghanistan because they don’t have a women’s team or structures to promote the sport among women.

Following Tuesday’s match, Afghanistan are sixth in the World Cup, with eight points from as many games. They have one match left against South Africa on Friday.

In conclusion, Mateen writes that clearly, Afghanistan is hoping for another miracle – but South Africa know they will need to be careful. The underdogs have proved so far that almost anything is possible.

Source: BBC

Related Topics:#َAfghanistan #Cricekt #CWC2023 ArianaNews featured

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IPL 2026: Teams take shape after auction as franchises balance star power and depth

Big-money overseas signings, bold investments in uncapped Indian players and a renewed focus on squad depth were among the key themes to emerge.

Published

7 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Ariana News

The ten Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises have finalized their squads for the 2026 season following a busy mini-auction, with teams taking contrasting approaches as they prepare for the new campaign.

Big-money overseas signings, bold investments in uncapped Indian players and a renewed focus on squad depth were among the key themes to emerge.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) drew the most attention after spending a large portion of their purse on two uncapped players, Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma, signalling a shift from their traditionally experience-driven strategy. While the additions of Akeal Hosein and Matt Henry offer tactical flexibility, questions remain over inexperience in the middle order and bowling unit.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) largely retained their core, underlining confidence in a settled squad. The return of Venkatesh Iyer at a significantly lower price strengthens their top order, while Jacob Duffy and Mangesh Yadav add depth to the pace attack without disrupting team balance.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) adopted a more cautious approach despite having a healthy purse. Their standout buy was England all-rounder Liam Livingstone, but the exit of Mohammed Shami has left concerns over their pace resources. An inexperienced spin unit will also be tested across conditions.

Mumbai Indians (MI) entered the auction with few gaps to fill and focused on value buys. Securing Quinton de Kock at base price and adding more all-rounders has given MI flexibility, reinforcing their reputation as one of the most balanced squads in the league.

Gujarat Titans (GT) made minimal changes, with Jason Holder their most notable addition. Already well stocked in most departments, GT opted not to use their full overseas quota, backing squad continuity while still addressing depth concerns.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were the biggest spenders, headlined by the record-breaking ₹25.20 crore ($2.7 million) signing of Cameron Green. With Andre Russell transitioning into a coaching role, Green is expected to fill a major all-rounder void. KKR also strengthened their death bowling and wicketkeeping options, giving them one of the deepest squads on paper.

Rajasthan Royals (RR) focused on rebuilding their spin department, landing Ravi Bishnoi and adding two more wristspinners. The acquisition of Adam Milne bolsters their pace attack, though the lack of a proven all-rounder could be a concern.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) largely stood pat after a strong IPL 2025 campaign. Cooper Connolly was brought in to cover for Josh Inglis, while experienced bowlers provide insurance against injuries. Continuity remains their biggest strength.

Delhi Capitals (DC) assembled one of the most versatile squads, with multiple options across batting and bowling combinations. Their flexibility allows them to adapt line-ups to form and conditions, a factor that could prove decisive over a long season.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) addressed their bowling by adding Wanindu Hasaranga and Anrich Nortje but still appear top-heavy in batting. Injuries and availability issues among key players may shape their season.

With squads now locked in, attention turns to on-field execution. While some teams banked on stability, others gambled on fresh talent, setting the stage for another highly competitive IPL season when the tournament begins in March next year.

Sport

Abu Muslim Farah crowned champions of fifth season of Afghanistan Champions League

Matches from the tournament were broadcast live nationwide by Ariana Television Network (ATN), allowing supporters from all provinces to follow the action and celebrate the achievements of their teams. The widespread coverage helped boost interest in the league and brought Afghan football into homes across the country.

Published

24 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Ariana News

Abu Muslim Farah have reaffirmed their status as one of Afghanistan’s leading football clubs after being crowned champions of the fifth season of the Afghanistan Champions League, completing a flawless campaign to lift the title.

The Farah-based side won all nine of their matches in the season, finishing with a perfect 27 points to claim the championship in emphatic style. Their title was sealed on Sunday in the 42nd and final match of the competition, where Abu Muslim Farah produced a dominant 4–0 victory over Ettifaq Khanzadah.

The triumph marks back-to-back titles for Abu Muslim Farah, who also won the fourth season of the league last year, underlining their growing dominance in domestic football. Their consistency throughout the tournament, combined with an attacking brand of play and a solid defensive record, set them apart from their rivals.

The fifth season of the Afghanistan Champions League featured 10 teams from across the country and served as one of the top-tier domestic football competitions aimed at strengthening the sport at the national level. The league has played an important role in developing local talent, providing competitive exposure for players, and keeping football alive and visible for fans across Afghanistan.

Abu Muslim Farah’s unbeaten run and commanding title victory have been widely praised by fans and analysts, with many viewing the club as a benchmark for professionalism and performance in Afghan football. As the Champions League continues to grow in stature, Abu Muslim Farah’s success sets a high standard for future seasons and reinforces their reputation as a powerhouse of the domestic game.

Sport

ILT20: Sharjah Warriorz secure 11-run victory over Gulf Giants

Cricket fans across Afghanistan can meanwhile tune in to Ariana Television today, Tuesday December 16, from 2pm to watch the next match, between Sharjah Warriorz and MI Emirates.

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Ariana News

Sharjah Warriorz continued their winning run in the DP World ILT20 Season 4, defeating Gulf Giants by 11 runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday to make it two wins from two matches.

A composed batting effort led by Tom Abell, followed by disciplined bowling spearheaded by Matheesha Pathirana, proved decisive as the Warriorz successfully defended a total of 174/6.

Abell anchored the innings with a polished 68 off 41 balls, striking five fours and three sixes. After an early setback that saw Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Johnson Charles dismissed cheaply, Abell steadied the innings alongside James Rew, who contributed 39 off 33. The pair added 71 runs before Abell fell, with Dwaine Pretorius providing late impetus with a quick 28 off 13 to lift the Warriorz to a competitive total.

In reply, the Gulf Giants suffered an early collapse as Wasim Akram and Taskin Ahmed removed Pathum Nissanka and James Vince inside the powerplay. Matheesha Pathirana further dented the chase with a wicket-maiden, leaving the Giants struggling at 44/4 after six overs.

Azmatullah Omarzai (41 off 26) and Moeen Ali (45 off 41) mounted a brief recovery, adding 79 runs for the fifth wicket. However, timely breakthroughs halted the momentum, with Akram breaking the partnership and Pathirana striking again in the death overs.

The Warriorz bowlers maintained pressure late in the innings, with Pathirana and Pretorius picking up key wickets to restrict the Giants to 163/9 and seal the 11-run win.

Pathirana finished with three wickets and was named Player of the Match, while stand-in captain Sikander Raza praised his bowling unit for executing plans under pressure and closing out crucial moments.

Cricket fans across Afghanistan can meanwhile tune in to Ariana Television today, Tuesday December 16, from 2pm to watch the next match, between Sharjah Warriorz and MI Emirates.