Even Taliban seduced by Afghanistan cricket’s success story

Under the Taliban regime no outdoor sport was allowed and grounds were primarily used for executing political opponents.

Sharjah: Afghanistan’s first-ever one-day international against Pakistan achieved what no other sport had managed -- support from the once cricket-hating Taliban, an official said Saturday.

“Friday’s match was a big milestone for Afghanistan, so much so that the Taliban sent a message of support, saying they are praying for the success of the team,” Omar Zakhilwal, president Afghanistan Cricket Board told reporters.

Although Afghanistan lost by seven wickets in the first-ever one-dayer against Pakistan on Friday, they gave a good account of themselves, scoring 195 and then capturing three early wickets before succumbing.

Cricket has become the top sport in the war-ravaged country in the last three years after it was introduced by youths who learnt the game in refugee camps in Pakistan following the Soviet invasion of their country in 1979.

Under the Taliban regime no outdoor sport was allowed and grounds were primarily used for executing political opponents who defied the hardliners.

But since the ouster of the Taliban, following the war on terror led by the United States in 2001, cricket has taken root with Afghanistan winning one-day status in 2009.

Zakhilwal, also the finance minister in the Hamid Karzai-led government, said cricket is uniting the nation.

“Even president Karzai was watching the match and wished the team well,” said Zakhilwal.

“Across the country 80-90 percent of the kids were watching the game as this was a big occasion for our cricket.”