Afghanistan v Australia – Only ODI – Match Preview (Part 1)
Cricket’s most recent success story, the Afghanistan national team, have a prime chance to add to their experience and hone their skills as they prepare to play Australia during their second ODI against an ICC Full Member team, scheduled for August 25-26
at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium.
The game of cricket began to flourish in the war-ravaged nation of Afghanistan after refugees learnt the sport in neighbouring Pakistan, and cricket also received the support of the much-feared Taliban, who have been a frequent, ever-persistent threat in
the country. Despite their stringent financial situation, the government have been looking to build new facilities to keep up with the rising popularity and demand of the game, with up to 70,000 club cricketers present in the country.
Currently an affiliate member of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625, the Afghan team have managed to receive ODI status which is valid till 2013, and despite the fact that most of their one-day matches have been against fellow associate members, they have an impressive ODI record
so far, with 12 wins out of 22 games. They have also managed to qualify for the ICC World Twenty20 in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 this September.
The team’s rise has been encouraged by the cricketing world, considering the fact that they cannot host matches owing to security concerns, and have been unable to play a sufficient number of matches against quality teams. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Afghanistan-c745’s first ODI against
an ICC Full Member team was against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nawroz-Mangal-c2084 has termed the event a big occasion for his
side.
At the announcement of the event (a warm-up match, prior to Australia's series against Pakistan) in July this year, chief executive of Cricket Australia (CA) http://www.senore.com/Cricket/James-Alexander-Sutherland-c65430 termed the match a gesture of support for the development of cricket in Afghanistan,
while http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746.
“Everyone in world cricket have been really impressed with how cricket has flourished in Afghanistan, despite its pressing national problems,” Sutherland had said while announcing the match. “As an ICC member, CA strongly supports world cricket's ambition
for cricket to continue to develop as a global sport and that, combined with the strong relationships between our two countries, encouraged us to look at how we might recognise and encourage Afghanistan by playing them.”
“The value of the match in terms of increased experience as well as confidence and skill building will be immeasurable,” Shinwari had said. “... the opportunity to play them [Australia] has created widespread interest and excitement.”
Other figures who have offered their support for the venture include ICC president http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Alan-Raymond-Isaac-c42771, who claimed that the fixture was in line with the ICC’s intention to provide top-ranking Affiliate Members the opportunity to play against better opposition, before
going on to praise Cricket Australia for providing the opportunity.
Vice chairman of Sharjah Cricket Club (SCC) Waleed Bukhatir also expressed his support, claiming he hoped the match would sharpen the Afghan team’s competitive skills, while Australia’s acting coach http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Stephen-John-Rixon-c91144 claimed his team was glad to contribute to
the growth of cricket in Afghanistan, and had the utmost respect for their opposition.
Continued in Part 2...
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