Slot in World Cup, double delight for Afghanistan
 Who
would have expected in their wildest dreams that Afghanistan will emerge
as a force to reckon with in the field of football and more so in
cricket?
In a double sporting delight for Afghanistan their national football
team had the country celebrating by beating the strong Indians in the
final of the South Asian Football Championships in Nepal.
And on the heals of that epic achievement their cricketers have now
sent the country into raptures by beating Kenya to qualify to play in
the next World Cup tournament to be co-hosted by Australia and New
Zealand.
These two sporting achievements are amazing when one considers that
they have been made by a country that has been war-torn and ravaged. It
is the determination, courage and the will to succeed that has helped
them stun the sports world.
Afghanistan is uncertain country. There is always the threat to life
and limb. In the midst of all these uncertainties, their footballers and
cricketers have been undaunted and have overcome these tribulations to
be shining examples to the world.
Sport is the great leveler, it is said and accepted. It is obvious
that the success in the final has been encouraged and inspired and their
success built on this time honoured axiom.
When the South Asian Football Championships was kicked off in Nepal,
not many gave their soccerites a chance. They were just expected to make
up the numbers.
The soccer players were up against some strong teams, especially Sri
Lanka, Maldives and India. They confidently made it to the final beating
more fancied teams. And in the final they humbled India.
They gave the better trained and brilliant players in the other teams
a lesson in how to play aggressive and positive football to obtain
results. Once they entered the final there was no stopping them.
The Indians who had figured in many finals in this tournament were
singing when they took the field in the final, confident of another
victory because Afghanistan was not going to be formidable opponents.
While making it to the final, Afghanistan did not put on display
their true capabilities and prowess. But in the final they played like a
team "possessed". In their offensive they played some hitherto unseen
football. They made the Indians look second class.
Although the score only showed a narrow victory by one goal to nil,
it does not tell the true story. They outclassed the Indians in all
departments. The Afghan defence was impenetrable, the mid fielders
watchful like hawks and feeding the strikers and the strikers always
hungry to hit net which what football is all about.
Then when they struck the net, didn't the players, those on the bench
and the coaches jump for joy, hugging each other and doing the jig of
joy in celebration of having dribbled past all odds and performing the
impossible.
Then all hell broke loose in Afghanistan with sports fans lighting
fire crackers, hugging and celebrating into the wee hours of the
morning. Similar scenes ensued when their cricketers beat Kenya to book
a berth in the next cricket World Cup.
Taking the cue from their footballers, the Afghanistan cricketers
rewrote the cricketing record books, by for the first time entering the
prestigious portals of cricket and will now figure against the super
powers of the game. It was a do or die game when they fronted up to
Kenya at the Sharjah Cricket Ground. A win would see either team into
the World Cup. A loss and everything would go up in smoke.
Kenya batted first and when a formidable score was expected, they
crumbled to be all out for a paltry 93 in just 44 overs. Afghanistan in
reply had a few hiccups when they were precariously placed at 34 for 3.
But Captain Mohammad Nabi 46 not out and Hasmatullah Shaidi put on a
unbroken stand of 62 for the 4th wicket to row the boat a shore and put
them on a flight to Australia and New Zealand come 2014/'15.
The success of the cricketers in qualifying to play in the next World
Cup has brought with it a multi-million dollar windfall. The
International Cricket Council will grant them US$ one million
preparation fee.
The above is in addition to the US$ 422,000 awarded to the
Afghanistan Cricket Board by the ICC Board as part of the Targeted
Assistance and Performance Program aimed at raising playing standards.
Afghanistan along with top ICC Associate and Affiliated members will
also receive approximately US$ 750,000 in base support through the ICC
Development Funding Policy.
Eager to ride the wave of success, there is the possibility of more
funding of nearly US$ 850,000 from the country's government and
sponsorship agreements from domestic and international business.
Here's what Afghanistan Captain Nabi told AFP after that historic
victory over Kenya: 'It is a very big day in my life. I'm sure there
will be huge celebrations back home. I'm happy for the people of
Afghanistan and look forward to playing in Australia and New Zealand.
'I didn't expect to play in a World Cup when I started playing
cricket. But now I can cherish this moment and look forward to
playing against the best sides in some of the best playing facilities.
Playing in a World Cup will be one grade up and we'll try to work hard
and do better', concluded a jubilant Captain.
Australia will miss Captain Michael Clarke
England who retained the 'Ashes Urn' for the third consecutive time
when they beat Austria 3-nil in England recently, will be smacking their
lips in anticipation of repeating that success in Australia in the back
to back series beginning in November.
The lip smacking comes with the news that Australian Captain Michael
Clarke, the rock on which the Australian success and batting is built,
will not be available for the First Test owing to a recurring back
problem.
Clarke is arguably the best and most stylish batsman in the scene
today. When he gets going, no bowler earns respect. With a wide
repertoire of strokes with the off drive being his signature shot, he
is poetry in motion when motoring.
Top class spin is played with the use of the feet. He is twinkle toed
and plays spin with ease. He takes the spinner head on and also has the
ability to hit over the top much to the chagrin of the bowlers.In
addition he is blessed with a clever and shrewd cricketing brain and his
captaincy, though not flamboyant is deeply effective and makes his moves
very intelligently and knows how to out think opponents.Clarke has been
troubled with this back problem for long much to his discomfort. However
he has been provided with the best of medical treatment and he is under
the watchful eyes and care of physio Alex Kountouri.
Kountouri it must be remembered was Sri Lanka's physio when the
country won the World Cup in 1995/'96. All cricketers in that cup
winning team have nothing but high praise for Kountouri.
Kounturi did a marvellous job with the players seeing to it that they
were 100 per cent and more fit and being physically fit was one of the
factors that contributed to that memorable success.
However Clarke is confident of recovering and being fit and playing
in the remaining four Test matches. All Australia will be keen to see
him on the field and helping Australia regain the Ashes.
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