Afghan team gets heroes' welcome after Zimbabwe triumph

The team sealed a historic first on Wednesday with a 2-0 Twenty20 series victory over hosts

KABUL: Hundreds of dancing, flag-waving Afghan fans Friday gave a heroes' welcome to their cricket team as they arrived home after a triumphant tour of Zimbabwe.

Afghanistan sealed a historic first on Wednesday with a 2-0 Twenty20 series victory over Zimbabwe.

And last Saturday Afghanistan became the first Associate nation to defeat a Test-playing country in a one-day series with a comprehensive win over Zimbabwe.

Afghanistan down Zimbabwe for historic T20 sweep

The victories offered a rare glimmer of good news in a nation beset by decades of war and which was recently hit by a catastrophic earthquake that left 121 people dead and thousands of homes damaged.

An Afghan cricket fan celebrates as the Afghan cricket team returns home after winning the bilateral tournament against Zimbabwe, in Kabul on October 30, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

A traditional Attan folk dance erupted at Kabul's international airport on Friday as hundreds of fans gathered to welcome the team.

"Our players performed exceptionally well, making the whole country proud," said Saeed Kamal, a 19-year-old student, sporting a headband featuring the Afghan national flag.

"We want our team to bring more laurels by beating other top sides in the world."

Afghanistan celebrate historic series triumph in Zimbabwe

Afghan Cricket Board chairman Nasimullah Danish also praised the team led by skipper Asghar Stanikzai.

"This represents a momentous victory for our nation," he said.

"You have shown the world that we are no less than any other big team in the world."