Afghanistan’s stand-in captain Mohammad Nabi has said that his team had reservations about visiting Karachi for the National Twenty20 Cup but security assurances by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) convinced them to go ahead with the tour.
The Afghanistan team, that returned home without any points after losing all three group matches, were provided a more secure accommodation compared to other participants as well as a security protocol to and from the stadium.
Meanwhile, Nabi rued the absence of several first-team players after his side’s winless campaign.
“We were missing five key players who are currently playing in the UAE, preparing for our Intercontinental Cup,” Nabi told The Express Tribune prior to the team’s departure from Karachi. “In a way, it’s puzzling why we have half our players here and half there since the other tournament is more important for us than this. However, this Twenty20 Cup gave our youngsters a lot of experience and if we had our full-strength squad, we’d be one of the semi-finalists.”
Afghanistan played in Pakistan’s Grade II cricket in 2003 as it gave its cricketers an opportunity to get onto the cricket field and learn. The team also toured Pakistan for a three-match series earlier this year and despite the lack of success so far, Nabi confirmed that they will be back for the next tournament.
“We wanted to be part of Pakistan’s first-class structure but financially it wasn’t working out for the PCB. However, we’re hopeful we can be part of the limited-overs tournaments, including the next Twenty20 event as we also enjoy huge following in the country.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2011.
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An Afghani from Kabul expressing security concerns in Karachi is an insult to Karachi. I'm sorry but if this was a publicity stunt, it was a desperate fail.
And these are the same men who were living in Peshawar refugee camps. What a joke
I thought I accidentally stumbled upon a joke site until I confirmed that this is real =]
Had this Afghani team been invited to play stupid IPL for no money even. They would have said, " It was a life time experience " Pakistan is one of the top T20 playing nation and its quality is definitely better than some 'Intercontinental Cup' players'. Even County cricket in England lights up when Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mehmood or even Yasir Arafat walk in the field. What this guy is saying is totally unthankfulness and arrogance.
Thank you, Afghanistan cricket team, for gracing us with your presence. We are extremely grateful that your concerns were addressed by the organizers, and you were provided with top notch security. Now you may return to your safe havens of Kabul, Kandahar, and Helmund, where you are probably used to a much higher level of security, provided by the US Armed Forces. We assure you that planning is under way to have the US Armed Forces in Pakistan as well for the next tournament, to alleviate any concerns you may have. Come to think of it, we might as well have the next tournament in Afghanistan, to make you feel more at home. We have seen videos of the sporting grounds you have on offer, where masses gather for their entertainment. We can even have one of those events as the half time show - I'm sure the stoning to death of an adulterous couple would do wonders for TV ratings. All the best for the more important tournament your team is preparing for!
send them back..
its funny because thousands of afghan refugees live in karachi
As if there own country is a place where every one can go and play safely...there is a saying in urdu.."Kia piddi kia piddi ka shorba"...Karachi has a population equal to 70 percent of total Afghanistan...in your own country your government only controls Kabul and in that also it is struggling..so its better for you that what ever opportunity is given to you..you just go and play..you guys forget the time when you all were living in the camps of Peshawar untill 9/11 happened..