Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe

Afghanistan vs. Zimbabwe, First Twenty20 International: Live Score and Analysis

What is the future of cricket in Afghanistan? Can they hold international cricket matches? What role does the Taliban government play in cricket-related issues? Mirawais Ashraf, the president of the ACB, decided to respond to some of these queries in an exclusive interview with Cricbuzz.

The former national cricket player, who is currently in charge for the second time after his three-year term was extended, talked candidly about the difficulties he encounters, the board's relationship with the ICC, and many other topics.Excerpts:When you took over three years ago, what was your biggest obstacle? In these three years, how far have you come toward your objective?Following the country's government transition, we faced a number of important obstacles. 

There are many difficulties in hosting international games in Afghanistan. At the moment, we are renovating three cricket venues in Kabul, Nangarhar, and Khost. Convincing international cricketing nations to host matches in Afghanistan is the main goal of our efforts. Furthermore, holding bilateral series and other competitions abroad continues to be a significant challenge. The ACB has had to hold all of its "home" matches in neutral nations like the United Arab Emirates, India, Sri Lanka, or Qatar ever since Afghanistan began playing international cricket. 

More people would be able to attend cricket matches if we upgraded our home stadiums and persuaded foreign teams to travel to Afghanistan. This would also give supporters a chance to cheer on their side in person. The local community would become more enthusiastic and interested in cricket as a result of the rise in attendance, which would eventually aid the ACB in expanding its national fan base.

One of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) most noteworthy accomplishments over the past 20 years is the rise of Afghanistan cricket. Both the international cricket community and the ICC, which has continuously supported the Afghanistan Cricket Team and the ACB along this trip, have taken notice of the incredible growth of cricket in Afghanistan. The ACB places a strong focus on its dedication to the expansion and advancement of cricket on a global level and is committed to cultivating constructive and cooperative partnerships with the ICC and all member states.

The procedure for the Afghanistan Premier League's (APL) second edition has already begun. In order to find a suitable business partner, the tendering procedure was first opened. Following a comprehensive assessment of all interested businesses, we produced a lengthy list of possible partners that satisfied our requirements. The top applicants were screened, and the most qualified firm was finally chosen with the board members' assistance. 

The Afghanistan Cricket Federation was founded in 1995, marking the beginning of cricket's lengthy history in Afghanistan during the Islamic Emirate's first period of control. I was chosen Chairman of the Afghanistan Cricket Board by the government at this time, which was the first time a former national player had ever been granted this position. Their assistance has been vital to us ever since and has never ceased. They have continuously supported ACB activities throughout the years and assist us in putting our policies into practice.

Around the world, the ACB has always held its ground and promoted cricket that is impartial and devoid of politics. Given cricket's critical significance in boosting our country's morale and fostering togetherness, Cricket Australia's decision to withdraw from bilateral series with Afghanistan three times is extremely upsetting. The ACB is still dedicated to sustaining solid ties with every cricketing nation. 

We are pleased that the ICC raised the annual money we get last year. But the quantity of cricket we have played in the past two years, both at home and abroad, has led to substantial costs. We spent the first two months of 2024 touring the United Arab Emirates, India, and Sri Lanka. After hosting Ireland in the United Arab Emirates for a series in every format, we went to the Caribbean to play in the T20 World Cup. After that, we hosted ODI series against Bangladesh and South Africa. 

The sums allotted for Central Contracts, Domestic Contracts, and Match Fees for both domestic and international matches have also increased substantially. All things considered, the costs associated with both our domestic and international cricket as well as national development initiatives are very considerable. In order to better serve Afghanistan cricket's requirements and assist it reach new heights, we anticipate that the ICC will enhance our yearly financing.

Many questions surround the next ICC Champions Trophy. What do you think the Champions Trophy's future holds, and do you think a hybrid format would be an option? Can Afghanistan's participation in the Champions Trophy be seen as a major accomplishment?We consider our qualification for the ICC Champions Trophy to be one of the major accomplishments in Afghanistan Cricket's recent history, and it is anticipated to be a huge event for us. 

One of our major accomplishments this year was winning the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup. The AfghanAbdalyan team made it to the final and won their first championship for the first time. This achievement is particularly fulfilling because it was made possible by our own local talent, which includes both players and support personnel. It demonstrates the efficiency and efficacy of our domestic cricket system and how well it fits with our objectives. In addition to the Emerging Teams Asia Cup, we now own an U19 Asia Cup championship from 2017–18.