Dean Jones escapes blast near stadium

NEW DELHI: Dean Jones, former Australian cricket team player, had a narrow escape as a bomb blast killed three people, including a policeman, and injured five others near the Kabul International Cricket Stadium.

Jones was commentating for the sixth match of Shpageeza Cricket League, a domestic T20 tournament, between the Boost Defenders and Mis Ainak Knights when a suicide bomber blew himself up near the road leading to the stadium.

“I saw the blast go off. It shook us out of our seats,” Jones told 3AW. “The shockwaves went right throughout the grandstands and the windows ... all the players hit the ground while the game was still on.”

“I threw my microphone into the window and I just grabbed my bag and I was ready to run, to get out of there,” he added. According to police, the suicide bomber was heading towards the stadium when security personnel stopped him and he blew himself up.

Despite the blast, the players of both the teams decided to finish the match. “We could be in England, and they’ve had terrorist attacks there, but they’ve stayed on,” he said. Despite tight security, Jones says he still feels a little afraid while travelling to and from the stadium. “I feel very safe at the hotel and the ground. It’s just to and from the grounds for us and the players and everyone that has been a major concern,” Jones said.

Several foreign players including South African batsman Cameron Delport are playing in the Shpageeza Cricket League, a domestic T20 tournament which hopes to popularise the sports in the country.