Afghanistan President Ghani felicitates former cricket board chief, players

He might be witnessing tense times on the political front but when it comes to cricket, Afghanistan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani is never short of excitement and energy. In the past, Ghani showed his love for the game and his country’s cricketers after ace Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan made a name for himself in the Indian Premier League.

On September 29, Ghani had his another pleasing rendezvous with cricket when he conferred the High State Medal of Ghazi Mir Masjedi on former chairman of Afghanistan Cricket Board, Sokrullah Atif Mashal, besides handing over cash prizes to members of the Afghanistan cricket team.

At the event which took place at the Char Chinar Palace in Kabul, Senior Presidential Adviser on Cultural Affairs Asadullah Chazanfar read out a presidential decree whereby the recipients of the awards were applauded. Mashal was awarded for his efforts in achieving a full ICC (International Cricket Council) membership for Afghanistan and also preparing a strategic plan for cricket in the country. He was also praised for his performance as the chairman of the country’s cricket board.

Azizullah Fazli has taken over from Mashal and he was wished by Ghani over the future endeavours. Afghanistan made their Test debut in June this year against India and have already turned a force to reckon in limited-overs cricket. They had a decent outing in the Asia Cup held in the United Arab Emirates recently where they decimated and troubled top teams before crashing out of the tournament after losing some close games.

Afghanistan proud of you

Ghani addressed the Afghanistan team members saying the entire nation is proud of them and also reiterated the friendly relations between Afghanistan and India, one of the country’s key strategic partners, on the cricket ground as well.

Ghani remembered the instance when a little Sikh boy was seen weeping in the stands after the game between India and Afghanistan in the Asia Cup ended in a tie after which a few Indian and Afghanistan players consoled him. “You have taken pictures with the Indian boy who cried after the match. It shows your highest ethics. The Indians say their friendship with Afghanistan is lasting,” Kabul-based Bakhtar News quoted an elated Ghani as saying.

“You have real management and discipline, your coordination and teamwork was outstanding because you are smart… I am proud of you and you are real ambassadors of Afghanistan.”

Afghanistan captain Asghar Afghan thanked President Ghani for showing consistent support to the cricketers.

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