Dream Come True for Afghanistan Cricketers

DUBAI — It was a dream come true for a team like Afghanistan to qualify for the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup. It gave something to the war-torn nation to cheer about. It is nothing less than a miracle that a country who is suffering from war for many decades and has no infrastructure, has booked a ticket to West Indies.

By Liaqat Ali

Published: Mon 15 Feb 2010, 12:06 AM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 2:31 AM

Hamid Hassan, one of their star performers, while talking to Khaleej Times said: “I don’t know how to express my feelings. It is the best day of my life. Everybody in the team and back home is happy because we have earned a place to play in the T20 World Cup.”

Hassan who hails from Jalalabad said: “I am waiting to bowl against stars like Ricky Ponting and Shahid Afridi in the World Cup. We are enjoying our cricket at the moment.

“We are thankful to the supporters here who made it special for us.”

Afghanistan coach Kabir Khan said: “Today we bowled and batted well and the loss against the Netherlands yesterday has done a great favour to us.

“It is a dream for boys to challenge big cricketing nations like Australia, Pakistan, India and South Africa. This is the time to prove that we can perform against them as well.”

The coach added: “We are the peace ambassadors for our country. The game is bringing together many sects of society. This win will help the nation to celebrate.”

Kabir, who has coached UAE as well, said: “I have got mixed feelings because I want to see UAE doing well but only one team had to win and we have won.

“It helped me a bit because I knew the weaknesses and strengths of the key players of the UAE. Our plans really worked very well.

“We want to go back to Afghanistan with a Cup in our hands. It will be gift to the nation.” Rais Ahmadzai said: “The people have started to understand cricket and this win will be big step for Afghanistan cricket.

“We followed coach’s advice and played according to the situation. President Hamid Karzai is in touch with us and he will be happy. The whole nation will be happy. We are expecting a big reception back home.”