Sports

With grants, Afghanistan need exposure too: Rashid

April 20, 2013

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Former Head coach of the Afghanistan national cricket team, Rashid Latif hs welcomed the recent grant announced by the International Cricket Council and has also urged the ICC to create an opportunity for frequent international fixtures for the Afghan team.

“Along with funds, they [Afghan cricketers] also need support to excel at the international level. The ICC should arrange international tours for the team”, said Latif in a television interview.

“Afghan team is a bunch of passionate cricketers, who can be very good at test level too if provided with appropriate support”, added Latif

Earlier this week, the ICC allocated US$ 422,000 for Afghanistan, from the ICC’s Targeted Assistance and Performance Programme (TAPP), which is aimed at developing more competitive teams among Full Members and Associate/Affiliate Members.

As per the ICC press release, this funding for the ACB was for the development of the NationalCricketAcademy in Kabul and is subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions.

Rashid Latif, while recalling his experience in the war-ravaged country, said that during his stint as coach he was highly impressed with the talent and enthusiasm for Cricket in Afghanistan.

“I was eyeing a Test status for them in two years time, and I still believe it’s not very far from reality. The more exposure they will get, the more confident they will become”, said Latif

“Matches against county teams as well with test playing nations will enhance their skills as well as confidence”, concludes Rashid Latif.

6 COMMENTS

janhamdard April 22, 2013 at 18:59

yea it’s right we are agree with latif brother and afghanistan will get test status soon
Shabir April 22, 2013 at 19:18

We need matches against test teams I’m hopefull ICC Will give chance us
njnnisar April 23, 2013 at 03:10

thanks latif bhai or thinking bout afghans
Zafarudin April 24, 2013 at 09:13

We are really looking forward if ICC provide us matches with the county cricket as well as with the test nations, that will boost our national team confidence, we all know that our team can compete with any test nation team.
Khalid Pakhtoon April 24, 2013 at 09:22

Thanks Latif Bro for supporting Afghanistan Cricket team.
We want ICC to support Afghanistan Cricket team by providing them some matches with the test nations.
Bilal Pathan April 24, 2013 at 09:28

As we saw Afghanistan Cricket team in the last two years they 'v made a very good progress, they should be given chance to play in Asia cup as well as play some series with the test nation teams.