India’s huge role to help Afghanistan cricket rise in times of despair
Afghanistan Cricket (source-twitter)
The Indian Cricket Board has to face a set narrative whenever its name is taken. The richest cricket board in the world is depicted as power-hungry or running after money. There are many deeds that have been performed by the Indian Cricket Board that go unnoticed. One of the main roles that was played was in helping cricket in Afghanistan.
The Afghanistan team on Sunday scripted history when they beat defending champions England. The result was a massive win by 69 runs in New Delhi to give Afghanistan its first win of the ODI World Cup 2023 campaign.
There was an instant delight when Rashid Khan got the wicket of Mark Wood to signal the end of the game. This was not only a win for Afghanistan but also for a billion Indians who treat Afghanistan and its players as one of their own.
India’s key role in the rise of Afghanistan Cricket –
While the world knows Afghanistan to be a war-ravaged region there is more to it than meets the eye. The entire region is now massively crazy about the game of Cricket. The Afghanistan team is one of the most rapidly growing teams in the world.
India’s role has been huge in this success and the continued growth of the Afghan team. It was India who gave a new home to Afghanistan to play cricket. Initially, it was Dehradun before the team shifted its base to the NCR. In fact, many of Afghanistan’s international matches are played in India.
The introduction of Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi in the IPL opened avenues for many other cricketers. The likes of Naveen Ul Haq, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Noor Ahmed are well-known in India. Fazalhaq Farooqi may not have played many matches for SRH but enjoys good support in India.
There is a huge Afghanistan community that stays and works in New Delhi. Their love for India and its people is seen beyond the borders. Yesterday when the live visuals of the game were beamed, it was like the entire stadium was behind the newest kids in the block.
There are videos on social media of Indian and Afghan fans hugging and sharing their delight. During the closing stages of the game, one Afghan team member was teary-eyed, he wasn’t alone though, and there were teary-eyed Indians too.
It wasn’t an Afghanistan win alone or it wasn’t an Indian-inspired Afghan win. It was a win for a region that has endured a lot and has just seen an earthquake ravage the region. India can empathize, and it can stand behind the fastest-rising power in cricket.
