Afghanistan Cricket

Afghanistan Cricket

The Afghanistan national cricket team is the team that represents the country of Afghanistan in international cricket matches. Cricket has been played in Afghanistan since the mid 19th century, but it is only in recent years that the national team has become successful. The Afghanistan Cricket Federation was formed in 1995 and became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001 and a member of the Asian Cricket Council since 2003.

The national team, formed in 2001, played in the 2009 World Cup Qualifier after rising rapidly through the World Cricket League, starting in Division Five in May 2008. The team failed to qualify for the 2011 World Cup, but did earn ODI status until 2013. This makes them the first affiliate nation in the history of Cricket to gain ODI status. They play in the Elite division of the ACC Trophy. On 13 February 2010, the Afghan cricket team secured qualification to the 2010 ICC World Twenty20, the team's first major tournament.

Home Ground Matches

Afghanistan does not play their homes matches in Afghanistan due to the ongoing security situation and the lack of international standard facilities. Afghanistan played their 'home' Intercontinental Cup fixture against Ireland at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Sri Lanka. Following Afghanistan's World Twenty20 qualifying campaign they played two One Day Internationals against Canada at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium in the UAE, after which the stadium was named the 'home' ground of Afghanistan.

As plans to resurrect Afghan cricket and the country itself it was later announced that Kabul National Cricket Stadium would be built and completed by July 2011 it would employ many local Afghans in construction and later maintenance. It would also see new sprinklers, seats, training centre and a 6000 seat capacity built for people to watch and play cricket. The stadium is the hub of international and domestic cricket in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Cricket Team

• Abdullah
• Aftab Alam
• Ahmed Shah
• Asghar Stanikzai 
• Dawlat Ahmadzai
• Hamid Hassan
• Hasti Gul
• Izatullah Dawlatzai
• Javed Ahmadi
• Karim Sadiq
• Khaliq Dad
• Mirwais Ashraf
• Mohammad Nabi
• Mohammad Shahzad
• Nawroz Mangal
• Noor-ul-Haq
• Noor Ali Zadran
• Raees Ahmadzai
• Samiullah Shenwari
• Shabir Noori
• Shafiqullah
• Shapoor Zadran

Afghanistan Cricket Board

Afghanistan Cricket Board (formerly Afghanistan Cricket Federation) is the official governing body of the sport of cricket in Afghanistan. Its current headquarters is in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board is Afghanistan's representative at the International Cricket Council and is an affiliate member and has been a member of that body since 2001. It is also a member of the Asian Cricket Council.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is the patron-in-chief of the board.

On 11 November 2010 the Afghan national womens cricket team was formed. This was to help females understand the game of cricket and have a parrarel team to that of the mens. Also policy states that as per Islamic tradition women will wear a headscarf or hijab which is their own choice.

Board Detail

Formation date               1995

Location                         Kabul, Afghanistan

Chairman                        Dr Hazrat Omer Zakhilwal

Coach                             Rashid Latif