Will cricket in Afghanistan take a hit under Taliban? ACB CEO comments

Afghanistan cricket is highly popular on the world stage currently. However, with the Taliban taking over the control of the country, will the sport take a hit? Here's what the ACB CEO had to say.

Afghanistan is in the headlines currently owing to its ongoing political tension and turmoil. With the Taliban taking over the control of the country, things continue to remain dicey in the country.

Meanwhile, many wonder if this new transition of power would affect the sport of cricket in the country, which has risen to the world stage recently. In the same light, Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO Hamid Shinwari feels that the sport would be hardly affected under the Taliban rule, besides asserting that the cricketers' families are safe.

Speaking to PTI, Shinwari said that the Taliban loves the sport and never interfered in their activities while backing them throughout. He expects full support and backing from the Taliban, besides asserting that the chairman and himself would continue to handle the sport's affairs in the country.

He also reckoned that the sport in the country flourished during the Taliban era (between 1996 to 2001). Also, many players in Peshawar who were practising the sport decided to play it full-time for Afghanistan. Also, as things head towards normalcy, ACB would resume its offices from Tuesday, while the training camps would also get underway after a two-day break for the series against Pakistan.

Also, the current unrest in the country had put doubt on whether the Afghan players would take part in the Indian Premier League 2021, resuming in the United Arab Emirates next month. However, a source from the Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed that the players are participating in the tournament for now.

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