ICC “delighted” with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Afghanistan-c745, sets sights on China and USA – Cricket News Update
The International Cricket Council has expressed appreciation for the steady progress of Afghanistan’s national cricket team, and is looking to rope China and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Usa-c759 into the fold of cricket-playing nations.
The Afghan side, led by Captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hamid-Hassan-c1524.
The team has been progressing steadily since joining hands with the highest governing body, 11 years ago, and major feats include qualifying for the World Twenty20 2010 in the West Indies, winning the Inter-Continental Cup for associate countries, and coming
in second at the Asian Games in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/China-c40996.
The ICC’s Global Development Manager, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Timothy-Laurence-Anderson-c94052, was all praise for the Afghan squad’s determination and perseverance. "We are delighted with Afghanistan and they are a wonderful story for us to tell how you can overcome the challenges and work through
the system," he said. "They are making some great grounds in terms of infrastructure development in and around Kabul," added Anderson, referring to the Kabul Cricket Stadium which was rebuilt in December last year.
Afghanistan will play its first top-level ODI against Pakistan in Sharjah on February 10, after securing One-Day status by coming in fifth during the World Cup 2011 qualifiers. Anderson appreciated the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 Cricket Board for having agreed to the match,
saying it was “important for these growing nations to play bigger teams in order to progress”.
After their match with Pakistan, the national team is due to play its first http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Papua-New-Guinea-c41002 on March 13.
Including Afghanistan and the new additions of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nepal-c2965 and Papua New Guinea, the ICC has 10 full, 59 associate and 36 affiliate members, and has set itself the target of doubling these numbers by 2015. The Council is looking to attract far bigger markets,
including China and the USA.
"ICC tend to talk about China and USA in the same breath, whereas the USA has a significant cricket culture as there is a large Asian and Caribbean community so they take a lot of interest. But China on the other hand has next to no cricket culture," Anderson
stated while commenting on the ICC’s expansion plans. According to him, the main objective was to have as many countries as possible represented and competing at the top level of the game.
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