http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 – Cricket News Update
The rising Afghanistan cricket team is due to add an important match to its growing list tomorrow on Friday, as the players prepare to battle it out against Pakistan in their first-ever One-Day International in Sharjah.
While the Afghanistan team has faced South Africa and India in the World Twenty20 2010, their exposure to ODIs has been fairly limited. Ever since the team gained status in 2009, they’ve played 18 One-Days (out of which they have won 11 and lost 7), but
only against associate and affiliate teams - Kenya, the Netherlands, Scotland, Ireland, and Canada.
The single ODI is mainly perceived as a dress rehearsal, which http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Misbah-ul-Haq-c1972’s side will play before they tackle the remainder of their limited-overs leg against England in the UAE.
The two opponents’ cricketing relations go way back, with the game having been made popular in Afghanistan by refugees who took shelter in Pakistan after the 1979 Soviet invasion. Since then, the Afghan cricket scene has been improving steadily, and this
includes the recent rebuilding of the Kabul Cricket Stadium last year, where 8,000 spectators turned up to watch the national team play an Under-19 side.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board has expressed excitement at the prospect of such exposure for their national team.
"I can assure you that millions of Afghanistan cricket supporters across the globe have been waiting for this day which comes after years of hard work, sacrifice and commitment," said Nasimullah Danish, the chief executive officer of the Board. He added
that his side was also aim to qualify for the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 Cricket World Cup 2015.
The Men In Green recently whitewashed England in a three-match Test Series, and they are in top form, certainly presenting a challenge to the Afghan team.
However, the Sub-continental giants are not displaying any signs of dangerous over-confidence. "Afghanistan's team is coming up very fast and we will take them very seriously," said Pakistan coach, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohsin-Hasan-Khan-c77595. Captain Misbah-ul-Haq also commented on the
opposing side, saying they were undoubtedly skilled. "I played against them in our domestic Twenty20 tournament for Faisalabad and they have some really good, talented players."
Organizers are expecting a mammoth crowd at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday, as expats prepare to cheer for their home teams.
Tags: