'Open to welcoming Indian Players in Afghan Cricket League'- Taliban leader wants to improve cricketing relations between India and Afghanistan

In what has come out as part-amusing part-shocking news, Taliban leader and Afghan interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani has welcomed the Indian Cricket team to Afghanistan.

In an exclusive interview with News 18 the Taliban leader has spoken in favour of strengthening ties between India and Afghanistan through cricket. He said, “we are open to welcoming Indian players to the Afghan Cricket League.”

Haqqani believes that cricket in Afghanistan has been side-lined due to war and bloodshed and the country hasn’t been able to display happiness towards the sport.

“This sport is liked by the youth, especially teenagers. But we had stumbled into bad times and we were engaged in bloodshed and wars. We have not fully displayed our happiness and liking towards the sport. Now that times are good, we will embark on sports," Haqqani said.

When asked if the Taliban would encourage Indian cricketers to play in the Afghan Cricket League Haqqani said, “This is a good gesture. We see that this sport is a medium to cement ties of love and unitedness. We welcome such steps which bring our people together."

Afghanistan Cricket is on a rise

Cricket is a very new sport in the country, having found popularity in the last ten years or so. Recently the game has seen a rapid rise in acceptance and a huge percentage of Afghan children play it as their primary sport. On the back of national fame, the Afghanistan Cricket team has emerged as a quality cricketing side on the international stage.

The team gained the prestigious Test status in cricket and also ranked amongst the top 10 ODI teams in the world. Moreover, cricket has emerged as a powerful tool for improving national unity in a country engulfed in territorial disputes. Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s star player has been well loved in and outside of the country. He also won the Men’s T20I Player of the Decade by the Governing Boady for International Cricket.

Afghanistan is scheduled to play in the Asia Cup starting on 27th August. They will feature in the curtain raiser event against Sri Lanka.