NO FAIRY TALE ENDING

But cricket joy for Afghans

As Afghanistan’s national anthem rang out around Manuka Oval in Australia’s national capital of Canberra, the country’s proud cricketers stood with their hands on their hearts, making history.

Afghanistan started its first Cricket World Cup in the 50-over format on Wednesday — taking on Bangladesh — a huge achievement considering the team comprises many players who picked up the game in refugee camps outside their long-suffering country.

Mohammad Nabi, who spent time as a child at such a camp in Peshawar, Pakistan, led an Afghan lineup that had absolutely nothing to lose. And Nabi started off his World Cup by failing to win the coin toss to determine which team batted first.

Predictably, Afghanistan eventually lost the game, with Bangladesh winning comfortably by 105 runs after the Afghans could only manage 162 runs in reply to Bangladesh’s 267.

“We’re disappointed with our performance today, that isn’t a true reflection of how we play,” Afghanistan’s English coach Andy Moles said. “We haven’t disgraced ourselves, but that wasn’t a true reflection of the work that we do in preparation and the way we play our cricket.”

The result may not have mattered — just being there was enough for some of the Afghanistan supporters, including 30-year-old Naqib Akbrai, who drove from Sydney to support his team.

“It’s a big game. It’s a dream come true,” he said.

“Afghanistan playing in a World Cup, it’s all we could ask for. We’re really positive. Hopefully we should win. I’m sure about 80 per cent of Afghanistan is watching the game on TV today.”

Hours before the match, news from Afghanistan was not good with reports of Taliban suicide bombers attacking a police station near Kabul and killing at least 20 people.

The players and fans are hoping to use the Cricket World Cup to promote a positive image of their country.