Afghanistan President meets players and coaches in Shpageeza Cricket League

Afghanistan President Ashraf Gani met the players, coaches and analysts of the ongoing Shpageeza Cricket League in the country. The meeting took place in the office of the President at the Presidential Palace on Saturday. All the foreign players and the support staff have decided to continue playing the tournament despite the bomb blast that took place outside the stadium on Wednesday.

Zimbabwe Cricket Board had also recalled their players denying to compromise the safety of the players. But the 9 players who are participating in the league have already refused their order and have decided to continue playing the tournament. The blast had left 3 people dead and 13 injured which shocked the players as they experienced the waves inside the ground during the match.

President thanked the players for staying

The head of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) Atef Mashaal thanked the Government for their special attention. “We have created basic policies over the last eight months within the cricket board. Our relations with International Cricket Council (ICC) have improved and we have received its complete membership as well as we have approved statute and policy,” he said as per the statement released by the board.

The President was overwhelmed after hearing many of the participants giving their views and thanking the board for showing gratitude and harmony. He also thanked the players and coaches for staying back even after the unfortunate incident.

“You were representing sport’s tongue and you have the courage to unite the people more than before,” Gani said. He even appreciated the private sector for helping the country improve their cricket and stressed on the need for removing any hurdles that come in way of the sport.

As the six teams are competing in the tournament, the league has been home to players from at least sixes countries including Windies, South Africa, Pakistan, Oman and Sri Lanka. The tournament comprises of 15 league stage games, and the final is scheduled to be played on September 22.