Life in Afghanistan has come to a standstill as they have taken over the reins from the government. However, the people found little solace as cricket was back at the Kabul International stadium.
Top players like Gulbadin Naib, Hasmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah were in action for the Independence Trophy, which acted as a preparation tournament for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The Afghan people consider the return of cricket to their stadiums was a big change in the right direction. The Afghanistan Cricket Board feels that this match was organized for the people to seek peace in their country. The people wanted the situation in Afghanistan to calm down and hence cricket is something that binds people together.
“This game can bring peace and prosperity and happiness to the nation. It could significantly contribute to the country’s economy and household economy.
So, why not invest in sport? We have got a huge mass of youth. Investing in youth means investing in the future.”
Hamid Shinwari, ACB chief executive, told ESPNcricinfo.
According to AFP, this match was open to all, but only men were seen on the stands. Even Shinwari claimed that the Afghanistan women’s team and the staff are at peril as the Taliban’s stance on women’s cricket is still unclear.
“There was no restriction for women to attend this match. It was open to everyone. Maybe, the future set-up will be able to communicate better than I do. Currently, women cricketers and women cricket staff are in peril,”
Shinwari said, proving the oppression that the Afghan women and the women cricketers are going through.
On Saturday, dozens of women came out on the streets to protest against the Taliban, demanding their right to work. They also pleaded for a women representative in the future government and also a seat at the table of discussions with the Taliban. The protests saw over 50 women marching towards the presidential palace.
However, the Taliban did not take the matter very lightly as they surrounded the mob and stopped them near the palace entrance. Reports on Al Jazeera suggested that the Taliban threw pepper spray and tear gas in their attempt to break the mob and end the protests.
Afghanistan’s rise in cricket is nothing short of a fairytale. The interest in the sport gave the people solace and motive to achieve something for their country. However, now with the Taliban ruling the state, women’s cricketers have left the country hiding.
In a BBC report, Afghanistan women’s team players are using pseudonyms to stay safe. A girl who called herself Asel stated the condition of the country under the Taliban where women are not allowed to play any kind of sport or even work.
“The village where they play cricket, some people who knew them are working with the Taliban. When the Taliban came here and took Kabul they threatened them, saying, ‘We may come and kill you if you try to play cricket again,” .
Asel explains an altercation that happened with one of her teammates
Another woman who is calling her Taqwa has been involved with the Afghanistan women’s team for a long time has managed to flee away from the country since the Taliban came in power. But before she got her chance to flee, she ran from place to place to keep the Taliban at bay.
“I don’t want to think about what would’ve happened. When the Taliban came to Kabul, for a week I didn’t eat anything, I didn’t sleep.
“I was not only thinking about myself, I was worrying about my girls. They are sacrificing their lives, their studies. Some even didn’t get married so they could play for Afghanistan. I’m very worried about their lives.”
she said.
