ACB CELEBRATES AFGHANISTAN’S HISTORIC TEST VICTORY

In an event held at Kabul’s Serena Hotel this evening, ACB celebrated team Afghanistan’s first victory in Test Cricket that came against Ireland earlier this month in Dehradun. The event was attended by ambassadors and diplomats from different countries, ACB, leadership, national team players, board members of ACB, high-ranking government officials, business community representatives and many other prominent figures.

Addressing the event, ACB Chairman Azizullah Fazli commended the recent achievements of Afghanistan national cricket team. He congratulated the nation on Afghanistan’s historic first victory in Test cricket as well adding that cricket has established a positive image for Afghanistan at global level.

Fazli said: “Within two years of obtaining Full Member and Test status from the International Cricket Council, we have been able to secure our first victory in cricket’s longest format. It showed that the team had learned from the mistakes in our first test against India.” He further added: “We whitewashed Ireland in the T20I series in which our players were also able to register several world records”. He expressed confidence that the team will be able to perform well in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales.

Mr. Fazli continued: “When I became the chairman of ACB, the organization was facing some challenges which have now been resolved to a large extent. We have been able to secure more financial support from the government as well as other sponsors and partners. It is a support that is still needed to further develop the game in the country.”

Fazli called the emergence of young talent vital to the future of cricket in Afghanistan. He said that youngsters like Ikram Alikhil, Waqar Salamkheil and Hazratullah Zazai were given the much needed opportunity against Ireland in the recently concluded series. He further emphasized that ACB will continue to nurture young talent in a systematic way through various competitions including the Ahmad Shah Abdali First Clas tournament which is due to start on 4th of April.

A presentation was also delivered to the attendees of the event highlighting the achievements of Afghanistan Cricket Board and National Cricket Team over the last several years. It also included a section providing information on existing sponsorship and partnership opportunities with ACB.

Opening batsmen Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani were conferred with honorary shields for their world-record first wicket partnership of 236 runs in the second T20I of the recently concluded series against Ireland in Dehradun, India.

On the sidelines of the event, ACB management and national cricket team players also congratulated Najib Zadran on his wedding and celebrated this with slicing a cake.