‘PHENOMENAL’
Exploits of T20 side from broken war-torn Afghanistan hailed as cricket’s most unlikely success
AFGHANISTAN’S automatic entry into the second phase of the T20 World Cup has been hailed as ‘phenomenal’ by South Africa white-ball legend Lance Klusener.
Klusener knows better than most what it has taken for the side to get there against a backdrop of instability back home – he is their coach.
The former all-rounder has been prevented from getting too hands-on in Kabul because of Covid restrictions and the civil and political unrest.
However, working with the team in other territories he has seen up close just how brilliantly they have done to avoid the group stages and go straight into the Super 12s as one of the best eight teams in the rankings.
“Every game is an away game for us,” said Klusener. “And I don’t think people realise how tough the challenge is for our side.
“For what they’ve achieved in the short space of time, 20-odd years, to pre-qualify for a T20 World Cup, that’s just phenomenal. Everyone is self-taught and self-modelled. There is no formal coaching.
“That is the exciting part. There are some serious skills going around and it is about allowing that maverick cricket to play out and refining the skills.
“It’s difficult but I don’t think it’s been a lot different to what it’s been like in the past, and the new government is extremely supportive.”
The Taliban took control of the country in August, sparking huge upheaval and fear of a return to the brutal regime that operated between 1996 and 2001. Captain Mohammad Nabi tweeted at the time: “I bleed to see where my beloved country is today.”
But Klusener’s impression appears to be borne out by Afghanistan Cricket Board Chairman Azizullah Fazli, who told Al Jazeera: “The government has told us it will support us in any way needed.”
And, crucially, they say there is no ban on women’s sport, which is a must for any full member of the ICC. Over the next few weeks they should cause an upset or two at the T20 World Cup, because they have arguably the best spin attack in the tournament and they are playing for more than just silverware. Klusener said: “We do rely on Rashid Khan a little bit, but for him to be able to shine we need to put enough runs on the board. We’re going to be a handful if we can find runs. “And if we can put some smiles on faces back home and take people away for three-and-a-half hours of the day we will have done a lot.
“The boys are acutely aware of that responsibility, not only towards each other but to every person back home.”