“It was a good game. President (Hamid) Karzai is watching and has phoned several times to get the latest news. Even the opposition Taliban have sent a message of support. Their spokesman said we are praying for the success of the team,” said Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman Dr Omar Zakhilwal, who is also the Minister of Finance. “Cricket is not just a game for us. We have had so much bad news in Afghanistan. But cricket — and this game against Pakistan — has brought good news for the people of a country who have suffered so much in the past. This is a proud day. “There is nothing that can touch cricket in popularity or as a force for good in Afghanistan. There is absolutely nothing else that mobilises our society in the same way. Not politics, political events or reconstruction.”

Misbah impressed

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq too praised the Afghan team’s fighting spirit despite their loss in a one-day international to his side, saying they could give other teams a tough time. “The way the Afghanistan team played I am really happy. They have some really good, exciting cricketers,” he said, adding it was “a good beginning” for the Afghan side. “T20 or for one-day, this is a dangerous side. They can still improve and they have excellent fighting spirit. They put in a lot of effort in fielding,” said Misbah.

Steady progress

Afghanistan earned one-day status in 2009 and have since achieved several milestones, qualifying for the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean and finishing silver medallists in the Asian Games in China, both in 2010. They also won the Inter-Continental Cup, meant for associate teams, in 2010. “I think Afghanistan can give tough time to Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and even to better teams. It is all about experience and if they play more cricket against good teams in the world, they are going to improve.”

That though may be difficult as Afghanistan have no more ODIs against Full Member nations. “The top teams shy away from playing us. I suppose they feel the benefits of beating us are small but the pain of losing to us would be great. We are pushing India, Australia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for games as only by playing them can we improve and take cricket to the next step in our country,” said ACB chairman Zakhilwal.