I hope ICC remains committed and doesn't abandon Afghanistan, says former ACB chief Shafiq Stanikzai

Afghanistan is going through tough times ever since Taliban took over the country. As soon as the Taliban regime started earlier this month, doubts over Afghanistan cricket started to linger. Moreover, their first bilateral series against Pakistan, set to be played next month, also got pushed to 2022, albeit for different reasons. Having said that ACB CEO Hamid Shinwari has assured time and again that the sport in the country will not stop.

With Taliban taking over, Men’s cricket will continue but there is a fear that Women’s cricket won’t go ahead. Former ACB Chief Executive Shafiq Stanikzai fears, if the Women’s cricket is stopped, then Afghanistan would violate its ICC membership as development of Women’s cricket is one of the most important points. Shafiq fears the world cricketing body might revoke Afghanistan’s membership in that case.

“Cricket will never die in Afghanistan. It’s our identity and in our blood. We don’t want to get back to the dark ages. I remain hopeful that the ICC will remain committed and not abandon Afghanistan. Without Afghanistan, cricket would not be the same. It is the charm of cricket, the darling of cricket. That magical story should continue,” he said while speaking to Forbes.

Shafiq recalls how Women’s cricket started in Afghanistan

Shafiq Stanikzai further opened up about how they had to make the people aware about accepting Women’s cricket in Afghanistan. But slowly there was acceptance and although the progress was slow, a few provinces had started playing Women’s cricket. “There was slow progression on the board in my time. Afghan society was not ready to accept women’s cricket. We had to teach society that they have to accept women’s cricket.

“That women can get out of the home and play cricket. A few provinces started playing women’s cricket,” the former ACB CEO further added. As far as Afghanistan is concerned, despite their ODI series against Pakistan getting cancelled, they are set to feature in the upcoming T20 World Cup to be played in the UAE.