The Afghan cricket and soccer teams have been doing very well over the past few years. In September, the Afghans beat India 2-0 in the South Asian Football Federation Championship, a tough match whose result brought a rare moment of unity to this ethnically fractious, war-weary nation. In August, Afghanistan's footballers triumphed 3-0 over Pakistan in a friendly match, the first international game played in Kabul in a decade.
Meanwhile, the performance of Afghan cricket team has been quite well and is being lauded inside and outside the country. Yet it has to proof more by defeating nations that have decades of experience in the game. The Afghan National Cricket Team will play against Pakistan tomorrow (Sunday) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of a preparation program for the World Cup next year. "The cricket team has started brief exercises in Dubai," Cricket Board media officer Farid Hotak said. "We have resolved our problems and we hope to defeat Pakistan."
Despite the lowest security level and absence of facilities not only in cricket but also in other sports, Afghans have showed that they are ‘no less’ than any country. The young players of Afghan cricket team are becoming a great source of hope for Afghan sports. Countries lying close to us i.e. India and Pakistan have made numerous fantastic records in this game. However, it seems like Afghans too are capable and competent. A glimpse at the short background of Afghan cricket team shows that how by time and again successes they have gone winning credits and hearts of the cricket lovers.
The war is lingering in Afghanistan. It has taken three precious decades of Afghans. The war has left Afghanistan with serious social, economical and political issues. Along with other sectors, Afghan sports too suffered immensely. But today besides men, Afghan women also take part in sports showing the future window of peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. The victorious involvement of Afghans in sports is a clear indication of the fact that they want peace and democracy and hate extremism and terrorism.
What the world hears from Afghanistan are stories of fear, terror and brutality. It is sports that can alter the mindset of the world towards Afghanistan and can create a positive image of this country across the globe. Afghan sports whether football, cricket or other outdoor and indoor sports, need serious attention from the government side and encouragement from the public.
The upcoming match against Pakistan will be crucial for Afghan cricketers ahead of the world cup. Not only that but also such matches play significant role in bringing the two nations closer. Pakistani team is more experienced but Afghanistan should not be under-estimated.