Afghanistan Cricket could face a major setback, as reports from various media handles have often speculated that the Taliban leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan might be considering putting a ban on the sport in the nation.
Afghanistan has been the most widespread team as per growth in international cricket. After their successful campaign at the Cricket World Cup in 2023, where they defeated the likes of great sides like England and also Pakistan and an inching victory against the Aussies, which was denied by Maxwell’s heroics.
Next was their stunning campaign in the T20 World Cup in the United States, where they emerged as semi-finalists for the first time in an ICC event. On the way, they defeated the likes of huge teams like Australia and New Zealand, which took them to the first-ever knockouts of a World Cup.
Cricket Afghanistan was immensely supported by their fans, who have seen them through all their highs and lows. However, for now, if reports are to be believed, then the leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Hibatullah Akhundzada, is about to announce a gradual ban on cricket.
It is well known that since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, they have barred women from participating in any type of sport, and now men are about to face a similar situation. However, nothing has been officially confirmed over the speculation.
As per the speculation, the Taliban believe that the sport has harmful effects and is against the Sharia Law. However, some have confirmed that two different lobbies from Akhundzada and Sirajuddin Haqqani, the major investor in Afghan cricket, have different perspectives on the game’s existence.
Afghanistan Cricket has produced several world-class talents in Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Naveen ul-Haq, as these players have emerged to be great talents for the nation but also for several global franchises.
Currently, the Afghanistan team is in India, as they were scheduled to play a one-off test against New Zealand at the Greater Noida newly built stadium. However, the team faced disappointment, as the first test match was called off without a ball being bowled for the first time in 26 years.
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If cricket is banned in the nation, this will be a major historic moment in the game, as Afghanistan might surely pin their hopes that none of these tweets or speculations hold true.