Cricket is more than just a sport in Afghanistan - Gulbadin Naib

May 24 (CRICKETNMORE) - Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib says that cricket has become more than just a sport in his country as they prepare to make their second appearance at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board was only formed in 1995 and while, like most sports, cricket was initially banned under Taliban rule – it became an exception by being permitted from early 2000.

Their rise since then has been remarkable, securing qualification for a major tournament for the first time at the ICC T20 World Cup 2010, making their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup bow in 2015 and acquiring Test status two years later.

They won just one match, against Scotland, at the 50-over global showpiece four years ago but have been improving ever since and can boast white-ball wins over the likes of Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, West Indies and Sri Lanka in the intervening period.

And according to skipper Gulbadin, cricket provides a uniting force for a country with a volatile political and social history.

“I’m very excited to be here,” he said. “To lead my team and my country in front of the world.

“We have peace in Afghanistan now and cricket is a huge part of that. We are very happy and hopefully that can help us produce good performances – we’re really excited to be here.

“Back home people are excited as well. Even club tournaments there have big audiences round the districts, with everybody cheering.

“If you want to support Afghanistan then cricket is how you do it. Cricket is not just a sport, it’s something else entirely in Afghanistan now.”

Gulbadin joined the nine other skippers on stage at the official captain’s media launch in east London, to answer questions from the assembled global media just seven days before the competition gets underway.

Afghanistan earned their place at the tournament by winning the 2018 ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier and will now face each of the top nine sides in the ODI rankings during the group stage – with the top four advancing to the semi-finals.

It’s a tough task for Afghanistan, even as one of the up-and-coming forces in world cricket, but Gulbadin insists his side are ready for the challenge ahead.

“We’re excited to be here in front of the crowds,” he added. “It’s the top ten teams in the world and we are proud to be representing Afghanistan.

“For the last 30 or 40 years in Afghanistan it has been all about cricket as a new sport. It is the main sport in Afghanistan that brings people together and gives hope to the people.

“It has been a long road to the World Cup but we are ready and very excited.”

ICC Media Release