Afghanistan fans want to watch cricket despite terrorist strike

The ongoing Shpageeza Cricket League in Afghanistan has already witnessed a lot of twists and turns. The Afghan domestic T20 league has seen all the madness and support from the home crowds who have come out in big numbers to watch their favourite stars perform. However, in the last few days, the prime focus has taken a turn and shifted away from cricket.

First, on 13 September, there was a blast outside the stadium in Kabul the national capital of Afghanistan which caused a lot of panic and chaos. The match between Boost Defenders and Mis Ainak Knights was immediately stopped and was resumed after security clearance.

Now after the blast, an Afghan soldier was seen waving and dancing half-naked with the national flag in his hand. The soldier was not ashamed of his act, as he claimed it was his way of showing love for the sport. The millions of cricket fans in Afghanistan have not taken aback from showing their love and support to the sport and the talented cricketers who are participating in the tournament.

I want to show my love

Ehsanullah, the soldier was just wearing baggy trousers of his traditional shalwar kameez to show off his chest painted in the national colours of green, red and black and his back scrawled with the name of Afghanistan’s leggie Rashid Khan. “I want to show my love and support the sport,” said Ehsanullah, as quoted by TOI.

I am not in danger

After all the chaos caused by the blasts, it was revealed that it was actually a suicide bomber who blew himself up at a police checkpoint near the stadium while hundreds of spectators were watching a game inside. Three people were killed including a policeman and five others were injured in that incident.

However, a majority of the foreign cricketers and staff still want to be part of the T20 league, despite the shocking incident. “I don’t feel that I am in any danger… I stand in solidarity not only with the Afghan cricketers but with the people of Afghanistan,” said former Zimbabwe captain and commentator Alistair Campbell.