Herschelle Gibbs leaves Afghanistan after suicide bombing incident

Just days after international cricket marked its return to Pakistan, a suicide bombing incident shook neighbouring country Afghanistan. It was reported to have a clear intention of disrupting the ongoing domestic Twenty20 tournament, the Shpageeza Cricket League. The match between Boost Defenders and MIS Ainak Knights was delayed for a while before the security team gave their clearance to resume. This also created panic amongst some of the foreign cricketers and coaches in the ground.

Gibbs returns to South Africa after the incident

Former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs has returned back home from the tournament after the incident. He was the coach of team Speenghar Tigers. While the rest of the foreign cricketers and coach stayed back, he decided to leave. One of the foreign cricketers includes Mumbai based Umesh Patwal, who is currently coaching the Band-e-Amir Dragons team.

“I was in the team hotel when the blast happened. My family was naturally worried about my safety, but once we were assured of our security, I decided to stay back. Luckily, my team is now in the top four and I will be in Afghanistan till the tournament ends,” Patwal was quoted as saying by mid-day.

However, he stated that he received validation from the President regarding the security arrangements and hence was assured enough to stay.

“After the incident, we had a meeting with the president of the country and he has guaranteed our safety and decided to provide the same level of security that he gets to the players and support staff. That was enough assurance for me to stay. Even the players wanted me to stay,” he added

“Cricket is a very small community. We have to support each other in these times. Withdrawing from the tournament or going back home due to such incidents (terror attacks) is not a solution. Also, I had a fair idea about the country and its players when I was batting coach of the Afghanistan national team,” Patwal concluded.