Ireland help with ‘only source of happiness in Afghanistan’
ON FRIDAY Ireland made history, achieving their first Test victory after a thrilling contest against Afghanistan. This week they continue the tour with three T20Is and three ODIs in Abu Dhabi, UAE where Afghanistan is hosting the series.
Spectators closely followed the first day of the test match, gathering at various places such as parks, wedding venues, restaurants, and television shops to watch the match on large screens, cheering on their team.
‘Cricket is the only source of happiness for us in Afghanistan,’ said Ijaz Khan, 45, who used to watch the match in his shop.
After the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, people’s interest in cricket has increased. This is because the national flag of Afghanistan is still being flown and the national anthem is being played during cricket matches, even though the Taliban government has banned them from being used in the country. Cricket is a sport that holds significant value for the people of Afghanistan. When their national team wins a match, they express their joy by singing songs, performing the national dance ‘attan’, and sharing congratulatory messages on social media. The people of Afghanistan consider cricket a national treasure and always hope for a positive outcome.
On the phone from Kabul, Wadan
Menawal said that if Afghanistan beats Ireland he will perform ‘attan’ with his friends. ‘I enjoy watching cricket. I will be praying for Afghanistan to win against Ireland in all the matches,’ he added.
Afghans regard the Irish team as both a formidable adversary and a close ally of Afghanistan.
‘I express my gratitude to Irish cricket for their ongoing support and collaboration with the Afghan team,’ said Tamana, a 22-year-old student who says Ireland’s Paul Stirling is her favorite player.
Because the sides have met so often, Afghans are familiar with the Irish players, making them favorites among the Afghan audience compared to players from other teams.
‘My school has been shut down by the Taliban for two years, so watching cricket at home has become one of my favorite pastimes,’ added Tamana.
The Taliban-run government in Afghanistan has banned women from playing sports, thereby crushing the dreams of female athletes in the country.
In the past two years, Cricket Australia has twice cancelled fixtures between the men’s teams, because of the Taliban government’s policies towards women.
This decision was condemned by the Afghan cricket players, cricket board, and fans who said that cricket is the only happiness for the people.
Afghanistan’s most famous cricketer, Rashid Khan, tweeted to keep politics out of cricket after Australia withdrew from the ODI series.
Currently recovering from a lower-back injury, Khan missed last week’s Test but is expected to join the team for the ODIs and T20Is in Sharjah.
ODIs: Thursday 7th, Saturday 9th, Tuesday 12th.
T20Is: Friday 15th, Sunday 17th, Monday 18th.