Cricket - Afghan team return home to euphoric crowd
03 Jan 2009 by Jonathon Burch
KABUL, Feb 3 (Reuters)


Afghanistan's national cricket team arrived home on Tuesday to a modest but ecstatic crowd after reaching the final stage of the 2011 World Cup qualifiers.

Despite a raging insurgency, lack of funds and having no proper cricket pitch, Afghanistan embarked on an extraordinary rise in international cricket last year, winning Division Five and Four of the 2011 World Cup qualifiers.

Last week the team continued their climb, winning Division Three in Argentina and reaching the final qualifying stage to be held in South Africa in April.

"I'm very happy. With this victory, may Allah bring peace to this country. I dedicate this victory to all Afghans," a smiling Karim Sadeq told Reuters.

The team, which had just arrived at Kabul's international airport after a long journey from Argentina, were led out of the terminal building to a small but euphoric crowd, cheering and holding banners in praise of their home team.

Some fans danced around the players to the sound of traditional Afghan music, while others placed brightly coloured garlands of plastic flowers and tinsel around the players' necks.
'REAL HEROES'

Among the fans were several members of Afghanistan's parliament, who had braved the cold weather to greet their national team.

"I'm so proud of these guys. It shows us, and gives us courage. I'm proud of you guys. You are the real heroes of this country," Shukria Barakzai, a female MP, told the players.

Afghanistan has now qualified for a 12-team tournament in South Africa in April with four places at the 2011 World Cup -- to be held jointly by India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka -- up for grabs.

Asked if his national team will make it to the World Cup, Mirwais Nazari, an all-rounder in the team, said it was in God's hands.

"God willing. God willing. If we have the prayers of all Afghans, we will make it to the World Cup," a beaming Nazari said. The team plans to rest for a couple days before resuming their training for the next round.

Afghanistan has been a main focus for the International Cricket Council (ICC) in its regional development programme for Asia since the country became affiliate members in 2001.

It aims to spend $5.625 million for the continent between 2009-16.
Never part of the British Empire, the adoption of cricket in Afghanistan was an unforeseen result of the 1979 Soviet invasion as millions of refugees flooded in to neighbouring Pakistan where they took up the game.

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)