Afghan Cricket Team Moves on to World Cup Qualifier
Continuing a stunning string of wins in global competition, Afghanistan's cricket team advanced to the qualifying rounds for the 2011 World Cup after claiming victory in the World Cricket League Division 3 tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Afghanistan won the Division 4 tournament in October 2008 and the Division 5 tournament in June 2008. The World Cup qualifier will take place in April in South Africa, where Afghanistan will face Kenya, Netherlands, Bermuda, United Arab Emirates and Denmark.
International Cricket Council Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat congratulated the Afghan team, recognizing their high level of play in international competition. "I think that is very exciting," he said. "They have certainly surprised a few people. They have won each of the respective World Cricket Leagues they have played in and I think it is due reward for them to go into the qualifying round."
Cricket is a relatively new phenomenon in Afghanistan, having been brought over by refugees that had lived in Pakistan. And though Afghanistan has no cricket stadiums, the national team has impressed many observers with its consistent level of play against more well-established competitors.
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