‘Electrical Man’ provides spark for overstretched Afghanistan at Asian Games

None of the countries and regions participating in the Cricket slugging it out in Hangzhou have faced quite the same challenge as Afghanistan in selecting two sides to compete concurrently in major events 4,000km apart, but when one of your second string is nicknamed “Electrical Man “, then anything is possible.

Qais Ahmad Kamawal sparked his Asian Games teammates into life during a surprise quarterfinal victory over defending champions Sri Lanka.

“They call me ‘Electrical Man’ because I am so quick and so fast,” Kamawal said after taking three wickets and holding two sharp catches as Sri Lanka fell eight runs short of their modest 116 victory target.

“We knew the game was low scoring and we were pretty confident in our spinners to win us the match,” Kamawal said.

Team captain Gulbadin Naib is one of a clutch of 50-over internationals in the Afghanistan team and he may yet be diverted to Delhi as cover once the competition in Hangzhou is concluded.

“Every guy in the team is like a superstar in Afghanistan. Kamawal is so hard-working. He’s everywhere,” Naib said.

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are also competing in Cricket on two fronts for the next few days, but as more established cricketing teams, they are better equipped to deal with the accompanying logistical issues.

“Sport has always proved that it will bring more happiness to Afghanistan and the Afghan people. It is not only now, but also in the past. “

Kamawal is hoping to create more such opportunities in Friday’s crunch semifinal against neighboring Pakistan.