Home Sports In Afghanistan, ICC Gives Cash Boost to Cricket

In Afghanistan, ICC Gives Cash Boost to Cricket

by AFP
Afghan soldiers watch a cricket match, April 15. Manjunath Kiran—AFP

Afghan soldiers watch a cricket match, April 15. Manjunath Kiran—AFP

ICC approves $422,000 for the National Cricket Academy in Kabul.

Afghanistan has received a financial boost from the world cricket governing body to develop the sport in the war-ravaged nation, it was announced Thursday.

Cricket has become one of the most popular sports in Afghanistan since it was introduced by returning refugees, who learnt the game in Pakistani camps after fleeing the 1979 Soviet invasion. Afghanistan became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council in 2001, and in 2009 it attained one-day status. Its ambition now is to qualify for the 2015 World Cup.

The ICC decided this week to allocate $422,000 to develop the National Cricket Academy in Kabul, the Afghanistan Cricket Board announced Thursday.

Its chief executive Noor Mohammad Murad said the board has requested a total of $1 million in assistance. “The ICC has approved $422,000 for now,” said Murad. “They will send a delegation to visit Afghanistan’s Cricket Board in two or three weeks, and they will decide whether or not to approve the rest of the money.”

The Asian Cricket Council last September formally supported Afghanistan’s quest for associate ICC membership—one rung below Test level—to reward their rapid progress in the sport. Earlier this month Afghanistan won the Asian Cricket Council Twenty20 Cup with a seven-wicket victory over Nepal.

The ICC will decide at its annual meeting in June whether to grant the country associate membership. The world body currently has 10 full members, 36 associates and 60 affiliate members.

Related Articles

2 comments

oggdil April 18, 2013 - 7:41 pm

if ICC WOULD HAVE GIVEN THEM BARS OF SOAP THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH BETTER

Reply
Hamayoon khan zarmal June 3, 2013 - 10:42 pm

i want great afghan team for good salicion and new good pleaters

Reply

Leave a Reply to Hamayoon khan zarmal Cancel Reply