The victorious Afghanistan players were treated like national heroes on their return to Kabul this week fresh from their win in the World Cricket League Division 4 tournament in Tanzania.
"As a lot of people are following us going to the World Cup," said Basheer Stanekzai, the Afghanistan Cricket Federation's general manager marketing and the assistant manager of the national team.
"We had a large media coverage when we arrived to Kabul - three TV channels telecast live from airport, we were welcomed by cabinet ministers, members of parliament and members of the National Olympic Committee."
The ACF already has plans for two camps as part of its preparations for the Division 3 tournament in Argentina in January.
The first camp will be held in Peshawar, Pakistan, and from a pool of 25 players, the final squad of 14 for Argentina will be selected.
Stanekzai said it was hoped the final squad would then assemble for a month-long camp in India as an acclimatisation method.
"As the weather in Argentina will be warm, we are looking at a warm place in India."
Should Afghanistan reach the final of the Division 3 tournament it would then proceed to the World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa in April.
During their march along the World Cricket League, Afghanistan won the Division 4 and Division 5 tournaments, playing 12 games, winning 10, losing just the one. They were unbeaten in the stronger Division 4 tournament.
Standing in its way in Division 3 are Argentina, the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea and Uganda.
Posted by: Nasir Ahmad at October 18, 2008 12:21 PM
The game was 100% which our national did the new coach Kabir Khan and the selector zahir khan did the frist class job and they proved there hard work in couple of days with the team, the key kabir khan still has to work more on the team espically he has to work on the mind tought of the players (Nabi,Hassan,Rais,Nowroz and Shah) did really well in WLC 4 matches they were really heros still they have to improve them self with much practise because the upcoming division 3 will not be an easy job for afghanis to pass without enought struggle, let me thanks to all heros and to congratulate them with their good job we all afghans are hoping to see our team more and more stronger until it will show the afghan flag in the 2011 World Cup best wishes from Nasir Ahmad
Thanks with respect to Tony Munro who is presenting more and more info in internet for our team. GOOD BYE
Posted by: R. Thirucumaran at October 18, 2008 12:39 PM
Very heartening to know that you lads are overcoming all the obstacles in your country and doing Afghan all over the world proud! Hope you guys make it to the WC! It sure will be a boost to the game in your country even if you don't win a single match! :)
Posted by: Ralph Zimmermann at October 18, 2008 3:49 PM
It's a great story, and just goes to show the value of the divisional structure the ICC has put in place.
Posted by: Spinghar Safi at October 21, 2008 12:23 PM
I will salut all our heroes!! I think we have a very strong chance of going to the final of Division 3. The only strong team in Division 3 is Hong Kong which is no more treat to us!
Best of luch Afghan Cricket team!!
Posted by: Asmat Afghan at October 22, 2008 10:27 AM
LONG LIVE AFGHANISTAN>>>>>>>>>>>WE LOVE U ALOOOOOOOOOT>>>>>>GO FOR DA WORLDCUP WE ALL AFGHANS R LOOKING FOE DAT LOVE U ALL
Posted by: SatanzAdvocate at October 27, 2008 4:40 PM
Although i dont know any of the players in our national cricket team, but hearin how they are performing im sure Allah will give them further success, we will have our hands on the ICC WorldCup very soon. Even though the circumstances and the opportunities for sports in Afghanistan lacks alot of funding and media attention, we are exceeding very rapdly in not just cricket but many other sports aswell. I hope we have politics out of our games.
thank u
LONG LIVE AFGHANISTAN
Allah hafiz.
Posted by: M Idrees at December 2, 2008 9:45 AM
Thanks alooooooooooooot for the bringing of devision 4 cup. We all Afghanis are looking that one day Afghan Team may bring the cup of Devision 3 and also the cup 2011 to Afghanistan and Wish u all the best
Best regard
M Idrees
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