Young Afghanistan proves the future is bright

As Hong Kong wins Asia qualifier, Afghan under-19s show senior success was no fluke.

After the heroics of the senior team in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League (WCL) and ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, the Afghanistan under-19s has just shown that the future of the sport in that country is in good hands by getting to the final of the ACC U19 Elite Cup 2009 in Kuwait.

Although Shir Shairzai and his team on Sunday suffered defeat at the final hurdle to a strong Hong Kong side, there were enough positives to indicate that the performances of the senior team were not freak occurrences and we should expect similar success in the future.

“It was a good tournament and very impressive to see such young talent on display from all 10 teams taking part,” said ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat, who attended the final few days of the event.

“We have all been impressed by the Afghanistan team, which progressed from Division 5 of the WCL to coming fifth at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in less than a year. It is particularly heartening to see the next generation of Afghan cricketers performing so well. By beating defending champion Nepal in the semi-final, I think the players have really come of age and we can expect big things from them in the future,” he said.

Mr Lorgat said he was impressed with the tournament, which is the Asia regional qualifying event for the 10-team ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier that takes place later this year. Both the winner Hong Kong and Afghanistan progress to that event.

In the final, before an enthusiastic crowd of around 3,000 people, Afghanistan batted first and made a competitive 215-9 off 50 overs with Asgher Hotak (70) and Murad Ali (68) doing most of the damage. In reply, a fine 94 from man of the match James Atkinson ensured Hong Kong claimed the title with three overs and eight wickets to spare.

“There was a great atmosphere for the final with so many Afghans in the crowd to support their team. Events like this don’t happen without considerable planning and hard work from so many volunteers.

It shows to me the marvellous spirit of cricket when people give up their free time and devote it to the game in this way. “I would like to congratulate Hong Kong on this victory and I wish them and Afghanistan the best of luck in the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier later this year. If the under-19s from Afghanistan show the same willingness to learn as their senior counterparts, they will be a very useful side by then,” said Mr Lorgat.

Although it did not win one of the four places at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, by coming fifth in the qualifier, Afghanistan’s senior team gained One-Day International status for the next four years and also booked a place in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2009 and the first-class, four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10.

That success also brings with it the opportunity to access considerable ICC funding which - in line with the ICC’s new funding policy for all Associate and Affiliate Members - will likely be targeted in areas such as improving the administrative, playing and capital infrastructure of the game so that cricket can build on this success and continue to grow and flourish in Afghanistan.

The event in Kuwait was part of the ICC’s centenary celebrations, giving Associate and Affiliate teams from Asia the chance to “Catch the Spirit” just as it is being done in each of the ICC’s 104 Members around the globe. The Catch the Spirit flag has been flying across the region to promote the ICC’s centenary, the great spirit of cricket and the wide appeal and diversity of the game.

Meanwhile, other hopeful under-19 teams are all vying for places in the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier with regional events taking place across five continents. The Africa qualifier is currently underway in Zambia while the European, Americas and East Asia-Pacific (EAP) events will take place shortly.

The EAP version is scheduled for Papua New Guinea from 30 May to 8 June, the Americas tournament will run from 12 to 18 July in Toronto while the European event will take place in Jersey from 14 to 20 July.

The global qualifier will take place later this year at a venue yet to be determined. The top five teams from that will join the 10 Full Members plus host Kenya in the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup 2010.