Reports: Ex-cricketer Abdullah Mazari accompanies Taliban as they arrive at Afghanistan Cricket Board headquarters

Political turmoil in Afghanistan led to Taliban taking over the country and the situation there is not so good at the moment. Meanwhile, it has been reported that the new rulers of Kabul reached Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) headquarters on Thursday. Interestingly, the former cricketer Abdullah Mazari who played two ODIs for the country accompanied Taliban fighters to their visit to the board’s office.

In the picture that has gone viral on social media, the heavily armed Taliban fighters could be seen occupying the conference hall of the ACB. The future of Afghanistan cricket and its players still seem to be in dark despite the assurance from the board’s CEO Hamid Shinwari to its fans and followers a few days ago.

He had stated that Taliban supports cricket and the sport and its players won’t suffer amid the takeover of the country. Hamid had also assured that the families of the cricketers are also safe even as Rashid Khan expressed his concern from the UK where is featuring in The Hundred.

“Taliban loves cricket. They have supported us since the beginning. They did not interfere in our activities. I don’t see any interference and expect support so that our cricket can move forward. We have got an active chairman, I remain CEO until further notice,” Hamid had said.

Afghanistan to feature in T20 World Cup too

Meanwhile, a few days ago, even Afghanistan team’s cricket manager Hikmat Hassan had cleared that the team will play the upcoming T20 World Cup in the UAE and the preparations are in progress as well. Even their series against Pakistan in Sri Lanka was in doubt after the takeover from Taliban but Hassan refuted all those reports.

“Yes, we will play in the T20 World Cup. The preparations are on and the available players will be back to training in Kabul in the next few days. We are looking for a venue for the tri-series involving Australia and West Indies and that will be the best preparation for the showpiece event. We are speaking to some countries like Sri Lanka and also I think Malaysia. Let’s see how that pans out.

“We are already set to play Pakistan in Hambantota and that series is also on. Also, we are planning to go ahead with the domestic T20 tournament which shall boost preparations for the players ahead of the T20 World Cup,” Hassan had said.