Afghanistan look for India as its home ground
75
NEW DELHI: War-ravaged Afghanistan is seeking a home ground for its fledgling national cricket team in neighbouring India, powerhouse of the sport, a top official said Wednesday.
President Ashraf Ghani has been asked to push for assistance for his side during an official visit to India next week, his first since winning elections last year, said Afghanistan Cricket Board president Nasimullah Danish.
“Unfortunately, we have not got as much assistance from India as we should have,” Danish said.
“I don't know why, but maybe the BCCI has got other things on its mind,” he said, referring to the powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India.
“That is why we have requested our president to discuss how we can cooperate with the Indian cricket establishment both on and off the field.
“I hope our national team can play in India soon. It will also be a great help to get some expertise in coaches and infrastructure,” Danish said.
“We would like to play our home matches against other teams in India. We don't want to play all the time in either the United Arab Emirates or Pakistan, we want to play in India.”
Afghanistan, who have been taking part in major tournaments since 2010, recorded their first World Cup win in February when they defeated Scotland by one wicket in Dunedin.
Afghanistan have faced India thrice so far, twice during the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean in 2010 and Sri Lanka in 2012, and once at the Asia Cup one-day tournament in Bangladesh last year.
India are due to host the World Twenty20 next year and Afghanistan are expected to qualify.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (75) Closed
Apr 22, 2015 03:35pm
Indian government should extend all help possible to Afghanistan. Be it in sports or other things like infrastructure building. Afghanistan can become a very good asset if handled properly.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 03:37pm
You are most welcome our Afghan brothers.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 04:16pm
Hope your team gets even better, but please not forget that you are here because of Pakistan support and coaching of legendary Rashid Latif.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 04:18pm
India, powerhouse of the sport. I liked the adjective. BCCI must help afghans.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 04:21pm
He..Its a Cricket Diplomacy....
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 04:23pm
The rate at which Pak team is performing, its spot in international cricket should be given to Afghanistan.
Also, the notorious contributions of Pak Team to international cricket has been match fixing, choking or wrong balling action, drug abuse - from enhancements to cocaine.
With proper motivation and encouragement Afghanistan cricket team can contribute much better than Pakistan and without its ill as well.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 04:36pm
India should refuse and ask them to get trained in Pakistan instead. After as Mr.Karzai said India is a good friend but Pakistan is a twin.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 05:03pm
Why isn't Afghanistan asking for an assistance from their friendly neighbor"Pakistan"? Or just because Pakistan loosing spree to Bangladesh in the current ODI?
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 05:07pm
Well said, BCCI should support afganistan cricket to become a major cricketing nation since india have already done massive rebuilding work in afganistan & modi should take notice is that why BCCI is not giving assistance to afganistan's cricket.afganistan has more talant than B'desh or any other low ranked team even Zim.it can be developed its cricket standard very fast.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 05:08pm
oh bcci lords please provide afghans home ground that is least we cud do to a war torn country...not only cricket i think india sud take care of citizens of afghanistan in other fields... god bless afghanistan so that someday they cud also live in a free environment without any fear..
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 05:13pm
India will accommodate soon for any friendly nations like afghanistan,Bangladesh, Iran and Saudi nations.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 05:14pm
Welcome to our Afghan brothers.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 05:51pm
We will help our IRON BROTHERS.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 06:24pm
I was wondering in the midst of all this if Pakistan can actually do something to bring cricket back to its country rather than playing in "2 stadiums UAE"
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 06:33pm
Afghans should maybe try to find a homeground in Germany or US having a big afghan diaspora.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 06:42pm
The news item is incomplete, secretary of BCCI has already announced that they are going to offer help. Please check for interviews..
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 06:48pm
we INDIANS would love to see match RAJPUT Vs PATHANS
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 07:31pm
The sooner the Afghans leave Pak, the better. Best of luck India.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 07:45pm
@Raheem And Pakistan toooooo my dear. Pakistan is number 1 brother for India.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 07:49pm
@Nisar
This is only about CRICKETING help.
Do not get overexcited.
BCCI has mega bucks and no doubt,
it will extend a helping hand to a friendly
country...AFGHANISTAN.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 08:10pm
@IndianJones Why surprise by this adjective? Known to all!
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 08:15pm
@aviral ashok LOL!!
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 08:30pm
Great idea to get neighbourhood nations to play in India. After all that's how Sri Lanka started their career by playing in domestic league for many years.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 08:33pm
Welcome Afghanistan cricket team. I hope BCCI extends all support. Good Luck
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 08:37pm
@Sunil keep sports out of politics
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 08:38pm
there is always achance for mighty Afghan team to grab a victory in T20 match even against India or Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 08:57pm
@Sunil you are forgetting, Pakistan taught them how to hold the bat and how to bowl. Don't forget Rashid Latif is their coach.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 09:06pm
All those commenting on Paks current trip to Bangla, remember, its a new Team, The Bengalis even beat NZ a few months ago, and where did NZ get to in the WC, so please, dont compare Pak with BD. Give this young team some time, they will bounce back. But great games by the BD team.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 09:09pm
@COLIN Why only take the easy option, has India ever considered helping Pak when it comes to Afghanistan. Over 3 million Afghans living in Pak, not India. So help them in all ways, not just cricket. By the way, its Pak which has helped them in cricket, when was the last time India allowed any Afghans to travel to India and use their facilities. The doors are open to them in Pak. Typical Indians,,,,,,,,,always take the glory.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 09:34pm
Most welcome dear brothers
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 09:39pm
@Amit Nagori Look at record books before you speak. What a negative mind you got, I'm really sorry to say that!
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 09:39pm
@ark Afghan brothers - how???
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 09:53pm
@Nisar If Pakistan hadn't meddled in their internal affairs there wouldn't have been any refugees in the first place.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 10:01pm
good choice
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 10:32pm
BCCI is cash rich and should act like the big brother here. It should do something to improve the cricketing ties among India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 10:49pm
@Nisar then what else
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 10:56pm
@Nisar Yeah afghans live in pak, bcoz your country is adjacent to it. India is not adjacent to Afghanistan. Regarding India's help for Afghanistan, remember we invested a lot for building Afghanistan's infrastructure. Many Afghan's visit India for treatment.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 11:04pm
@Amit Nagori Pakistan's contribution to world cricket has been priceless. Sadly everything changed after attack on Sri Lankan cricket team. Pakistani players donot get enough exposure to international cricket and no country wants to play there. Pakistani Cricket suffered while people like Lakhvi enjoy freedom.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 11:20pm
If, both Pakistan and Afghanistan do not heart the strategic interests of India, both will benefit like anything. Political leaders of both the country must understand this. Indian consider that both the country are historically attached with India. Same culture..... Both should not forget that. Every thing will be fine. In fact, both country have natural rights to play in IPL along with Sri Lank. You need to correct your political discourse in a right directions. India welcome both Pakistan and Afghan to play on it's soil.
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 11:20pm
Welcome afghanistan
Recommend
0
Apr 22, 2015 11:36pm
@Nisar First, India is not adjacent to Afghanistan whereas Pakistan is. Two, more importantly, Pakistan created the mess in Afghanistan motivated by the few dollars US was providing and to create "strategic depth" (whatever that is). Three, several Afghan folks come to India to study, and for military training.
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 12:00am
@Sunil Many thumbs down for your insensitive comment.. They are not begging, its a sporty request because we have better infrastructure than Afganistan. Anyway, for Cricket's sake, we have to help'em.
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 12:02am
India BCCI should train AFGHANISTAN, UAE , CHINA, JAPAN,SOUTH KOREA to create cricket hub in ASIA and for further extend of IPL with 15 teams in near future. All above nation are good in sports so easily we get good player for IPL from abroad to make matches watched in such heavily populated nations and earn huge money beyond 200-300 crore Rs and employment as usual .
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 01:35am
Learnt to play from and on the streets of Pakistan as war refugees and now showing their loyalty to Indian, expected nothing less from our dear brothers
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 01:51am
@Nisar What is average age of this team ? I don
t think it is a young team. And you are using this excuse against BD ???The collective experience of Pakistan team may be as much as that of BD.
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 02:12am
@Ramesh ...Pakistan will remain Afghanistan's twin brother as India shares nothing with Afghanistan or Kashmir region...it's universal truth
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 03:01am
@Suren ..since when Afghanistan is attached to India or Indian culture or its history??? You probably listen to RSS to much.
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 03:16am
@Haroon
Rashid latif coached them just a few months. It was kabir khan.
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 06:48am
@Suren - why should we worry about your interest. We are a sovereign nation and will act what is best for us. Unless India treat us equal and stop the arms race at once.
Remember, there is no such thing as neighbour interest it is self interest and usually a smart neighbour makes it a win win not the way you put it.
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 08:00am
Everyone wants to play in India or against Indi as India is the economic powerhouse of cricket.
Indians do get cricket fatigue after IPL and so does the board. Players need to recover from non stop cricket.
Afghanistan or Gilani complaining is counterproductive. The problem is security. Afghanistan and Pakistan should together work on security for a permanent solution.
The world will know when a place is secure. It is a state of mind.
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 09:10am
Long live Indo afghan friendship..we should help our afghan brother to maximum extent.
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 09:33am
Using existing PCB technical help to become what they are today, national team players paying at Dhaka Leagues, they ask for India to help? Really? BCCI has a history of helping other nations?
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 09:36am
@Khurram Jadoon - This is a recent phenomenon...
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 09:40am
kartikey mishra Why do you unnecesarily dare to go for belittling BD? Do you have any reliable stats regarding numbers of raw talents existed in BD and AF? If not so, then, why did you pass an irrational and typical 'Dadagiri' comment from your part? Gentleman, try to behave like a logical one! Bd are not sot small as you think!
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 09:44am
I failed to understand why did Afghanistan’s choice of picking India as a home ground became a Pakistan bashing on this forum? I am a proud Pakistani Pakhtun myself and I wish nothing but the best for Afghan brothers and Indians. Best of luck to you guys!
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 09:44am
Imagine the support the Afghan team could get if they played their home games in India.....It would be a straight billion plus supporters...I'm only surprised that it took this long for either board to take note...but then it's better late than never.....We in India would extend all possible assistance to Afghan cricket ,be it monetary or otherwise.....
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 11:16am
@Khurram Jadoon Truth is bitter.
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 11:24am
Afghans are always welcome in India. India should train the sportsmen,doctors, Engineers and Military officers so that Afghans can stand on their own feet and develop their great country,Gandhara of ancient times.
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 11:36am
@Rous Really so did foreign coach like Whatmore taught Pakistanis how to bowl or how to bat
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 11:40am
@jawad Just try to tell your imaginative fact directly to a Afghani and i will know ;-)
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 11:42am
@ali Chill...Its a free world. He will say whatever he would like to, just like you.
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 12:48pm
Afghan team must be supported. I would like the entire neighborhood to wish them well. It should never become a ring of dirty politics of both India and Pakistan. Let us solve our problems and usher in the good things peace can bring...we are different then the middle east, we have lived harmoniously for all but last 70 years.....I believe it is the lack of spine of leadership on both sides that keeps a naturally peaceful Indian subcontinent on its toes.
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 01:24pm
Afghans are always welcome here, i am sure BCCI will allow them training and facilities they require.....
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 03:05pm
@Sandeep Singh But BD was completely an irrelevant issue here. Well, you have amply freedom of choices passing any comment; but that doesn't give you the free license to knock at others door without having any relevancy!!
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 03:18pm
Being an Indian, I wish to welcome the Afgan players. They have a lot of talent and with better facilities and coaching they can do wonders. India has always been a friendly nation. So, I wish BCCI acts fast and welcomes our Afgan brothers to India. Cheers !!
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 03:43pm
All possible help should be extended to Afghanistan in this sport, and specially by India and Pakistan. I am hearing that India is planning to give services at Dharamshala cricket stadium (HPCA) to Afghanistan. I hope Afghanistan find it useful. Another neighboring team there to achieve great cricketing heights.
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 04:23pm
If this happens then how long before Afghanistan beat Pakistan too?
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 04:39pm
Afghan cricketers and footballers are making rapid progress in the international arena. All the best.
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 05:13pm
Clearly, the issue will not be about extending support but how to make money when Afghanistan plays some team like say Scotland. Stadiums will be empty & sponsors will be hard to come by. A more practical way would be to allow Afghans to play in domestic cricket like Ranji Trophy, IPL etc. This would give them ability to improve skills. In the 1970s & early 1980s, Tamil Nadu Vs Sri Lanka used to be an annual affair. In fact, BCCI should rellok at IPl team composition & introduce a clause that requires players from associate nations to get chances. This would help the development of the game in their nations.
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 05:30pm
"We don't want to play all the time in either the United Arab Emirates or
Pakistan, we want to play in India".
--this line SAYS IT ALL!
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 05:32pm
As an Indian i feel bcci should help Afganistan they are true fighter's and deserve every bit of it
Recommend
0
Apr 23, 2015 06:24pm
You are welcome afgan brothers and sisters. You may use our resources for your betterment. We still have a found memory of 'Khan Abdul Gafoor Khan' about whom we read in our schools, God bless you all.
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2015 03:34pm
@Khurram Jadoon otherwise Pakistanis are also our brothers but they don't care. In contrast Afghans do care!
Recommend
0
Apr 24, 2015 03:40pm
@truth if history is any evidence, indus valley civilization stretched from India into Afghanistan. Islamic republic of Pakistan came into being in 1947. Before that it was Hindustan starting from the eastern borders of Afghanistan.
Recommend
0
Apr 25, 2015 08:29am
I would love to see our Afghan and B'desh brothers in IPL 2016.
Recommend
0
