Afghanistan cricket chief apologises after their dismal Qualifiers campaign

Afghanistan cricket has been amongst the most popular cricket teams across the globe, owing to their fearless brand of cricket. They have grown in stature as the team and have captured the imaginations of fans around the world. Moreover, they have been competitive throughout and have given the strongest of oppositions a run for their money on several occasions.

The qualifiers ICC Cricket World Cup 2018 is currently underway and the Afghans were rightly deemed as one of the favourites to make their way to the mega event in England and Wales. However, the Rashid Khan-led team has been thrashed thus far and have slumped to three consecutive defeats, which have nearly pulled the curtains down on Afghanistan’s dream to play in their second World Cup.

They have lost against Scotland, Zimbabwe and Hong Kong and are ranked fourth in Group B of the championship. Recently, Shafiq Stanikzai, the chief of Afghanistan cricket shared an apology to the team’s fans for their abysmal run in the qualifying stages. He took to Twitter and expressed his agony, however also hailed the team as the pride of the nation.

The apology by Stanikzai

He wrote “Gutted, frustrated and extremely sorry for whatever happened in the ICC Cricket World Cup qualifier, But #Bluetigers, u r still the heroes of the nation thank u for whatever u did till date to the nation. Sorry, beloved nation but we will come strong InnshaAllah.”

Here’s the tweet

Gutted, frustrated and extreamly sorry for what ever happened in the @ICC @cricketworldcup qualifier. But #bluetigers u r still the heroes of the nation and thank u for what ever u did till date to the nation.
Sorry beloved nation but we will come strong InnshaAllah

— Shafiq Stanikzai (@ShafiqStanikzai) March 8, 2018

Afghanistan started their campaign with a comprehensive defeat when they were brushed aside by Scotland by seven wickets. They played their hearts out in their next game against Zimbabwe, however, couldn’t evade their second loss in the event. To add to their agony, Hong Kong managed to steamroll the Afghans in their third game as they registered their maiden victory against a Full Member nation.