Two Afghanistan U19 officials return home from London after extending stay to seek refuge

Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, two out of four members of the Afghanistan team from the 2022 Under-19 World Cup touring group returned to the nation three months after residing in England to seek shelter. It is being said that the two have returned safely and have been taken back by the Afghanistan Cricket Board to continue with their duties.

Afghanistan ranked fourth at the end of the U-19 World Cup that was held in the Caribbean this year. The squad had a prearranged layover in London on their way back from Antigua. While the remainder of the Afghanistan squad, including coaching and support personnel, boarded their plane from London, four members of the touring group chose to wait at Heathrow in the hopes of obtaining refuge.

“There were three officials and one player (who stayed on in London), with video analyst Sherullah Afghan and physio Dr. Sifatullah Wardak among them, but those two have decided to return to Kabul. It was not the first time that people in our country stayed in other countries in various ways or were smuggled out of the country. I am pleased that our technical staff has returned to the ACB, and I warmly welcome them,” ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan told ESPNcricinfo.

“Their presence shows that security in Afghanistan is improving day by day and that the ACB has overcome the challenges it faced in the early days of the regime change. I hope those young people who have left the country return, as there are several possibilities for them to serve their country on various occasions. The doors are open for all Afghans,” he added.

Everyone must strive hard to work for the country: Mirwais Ashraf

Hundreds of Afghans, including one previous president, officials, sportspersons, and citizens fled the nation shortly after the Taliban took control in August. The cricket board also witnessed many changes and the working organization has been changed after the takeover. Former all-rounder Mirwais Ashraf was appointed as the chairman of the board.

“The game has spread to all parts of the country. The country is in need of technical staff and capacities, so everyone must strive hard to work for the country,” said Ashraf.

Obtaining visas for Afghan cricketers and support personnel has been increasingly difficult for the ACB, particularly since the Taliban established a government. But the board is working things out in order to carry forward Afghanistan’s Ireland tour, scheduled in August, smoothly.