Tim Albone in Kabul
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Taj Malik has more to worry about than rain stopping play or the wicket his team will have to bat on.
The charismatic coach of the Afghan cricket team has been threatened by a suicide bomber for not picking a particular player, while his brother and one of his star bowlers bear the scars of bullet wounds from years of war.
But Mr Malik, 32, and his players say that nothing will stop them achieving their dream of getting to the Cricket World Cup in 2011.
The first step on the long journey begins at the end of this month, when they travel from the battle-scarred streets of Kabul to the Channel Islands. There they face such cricketing titans as Singapore, the Bahamas, Botswana, Japan and Jersey in their attempt to progress to the next qualifying stage. “This is do or die ... I will throw myself in the Atlantic if we lose,” said Mr Malik.
But the most mouthwatering match for the Afghans is a potential knockout meeting with the United States. “Pray we beat them,” Hameed Hassan, 20, who bowls at nearly 90mph, said. “Most of the Afghans are eager to hear we beat the United States.” Hasti Gul, 24, a talented bowler and brother of the coach, is bullish about their chances.
“Inshallah [God willing] we will win. We have no weakness in our team, our bowling, batting and fielding are all good. We will win the tournament and bring the cup to Afghanistan.” Perhaps surprisingly given the wealth of spin talent in neighbouring Pakistan, the Afghans have little time for the tweakers and turners of the game. “Afghans like to bowl fast,” Mr Malik said. “They don't think spin bowling is attacking enough.” Indeed, he added, much of the warlike character of the Afghans is present in the way they play cricket. “Every game is like a battle for us; every game is a fight.”
Victory in Jersey, where most experts agree Afghanistan are favourites, would not lead straight to the World Cup. The team would still have to compete in - and finish in the top two of - tournaments in Tanzania and Argentina, and then finish in the top six in a tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
“If we lose, most of our team members will leave cricket forever; this is our only chance,” Mr Gul said. Bashir Stankzai, the assistant manager of the team, agreed: “If we don't get there we have no future.”
Afghanistan has had an international team only since the Taleban were ousted in 2001 but the potential is amazing. In 2006 the Afghans beat the MCC by 202 runs, getting the former England captain Mike Gatting out for a duck. Hamed Hassan, their fastest bowler, and team-mate Mohammed Nabi, 24, were recruited later by the MCC for several matches.
Tim Albone is filming a documentary on the Afghan cricket team. Visit outoftheashes.tv for more information
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salam everybody and hello to all my other freinds wo are vewing this. first of all i would like to congragulate the afghni's and i hope u guy can make to the world cup. I am afghani myself and play crkt for an loacal Aus club but love my cricket and love my country and atm australia is my second hom
Bari Hussain , Perth , Australia
at first salam for all my friends and for all people of my belove country (AFGHANISTAN).. thankx of GOD that AFGHANISTAN is also a great and best team in the asia ..and i am very happy for my country because AFGHANISTAN Is like AMERICA...and now i play in AUSTRIAN CRICKET TEAM ....
AFGHANISTAN...
TAQI Rezai...hazara....AFGHANI.--, vienna, austria
I will pray day and night for my coutry to be in the world cup. inshallah.
Jamal Ahmadzai , london , UK
salaammmmm (hi) every body ! first of all thankssss ALLAH (GOD) that we have young guys (afg cricket team) to show the world thier power, I'm proud of my country and the young team . I pray to Allah they will get to the aim( Inshallah). thanks !
Sabrullah Khan, LONDON, UK
I am realy proud to hear that the Afghan team is in good form to go and play in world cup qualifier who would have thought the Afghans will be in this stage in so little time, all they need is the support our nation and the support from every Afghan around the world my Allah be with you always
ghoorzang, Manchester, UK
I think so far Afghanistan cricket team has been doing excellent job, and I request all the Afghans to pray for our "Heros" to go unbeaten in Division 3 and also do well in the World Cup Qualfier and always we muslims rely on pray from Allah and wants success not just for cricket team but Afghanista
Ateequllah Hayat, London, England
I am proud of my Country Afghanistan and the Afghan people!
Come Afghans its time to beat Australia, South Africa, England, India, Pakistan and etc.
lets show the world that we are the champ!
Jan Molazadeh Panjshiri, southampton, England
Congratulations to the Afghan national team and its people with victory in divsion five and four. Division three in Argentina looks manageable (especially after we didn't loose a singal match in division four). And with Kabir Khan as coach and a little more attention from government and the sponsorship side, it is very possible.
Seeyar Ahmadzai, Århus , Denmark
Congratulations on your promotion!!! I am appreciating your dedication, hard work and your outstanding victory over Jersey. I wish you guys good luck in the World Cup and hope to see you all safe and healthy. May Allah Bless You All!
Ahmad Jawaid Sarhal, Kabul, Afghanistan
Good Luck Afghanistan Cricket Team and wish you all the best in the future,
atiq abdulrahimzai , grimsby united kingdom
atiq, grimsby, UK
Salam All my Afghan Brothers,
Congratulations on your outstanding victory over Jersey. I wish you guys good luck in World Cup and hope to see you wining the. Our prayers are with all of you.
Do your best to win, but remember if, Allah forbid, you don't then you guys are still our heores. Salam
Neghat Sadaf Popal, Randers, Denamark
Good Luck Afghanistan Cricket Team
ARYAN KHAN, COPENHAGEN, DK
I pray and ask from God the success of Afghanistan Cricket team... WISH YOU ALL THE BEST, You all have our prayers.... Sediq Azimi, Kabul, Afg
Sediq, Kabul, Afghansitan
Afghanistan team is really doing great job. wish you all the best guys!!!
Scott, London, Uk
All my best wishes to Afghanistan Cricket Team. Inshallah you will be returing successful to your country (MAY MY ALLAH (SWT) GIVE YOU ALL THE SUCCESSES) GOOD LUCK
Saraj Khushal, London, UK
I hope they win and they go forward. They did in the past. If they succeed, then we will have more improvemens in our sport. Our national football team ranked first in the qualfying stage in Asian Challenge Cup, and I beleive the cricketers are going to reapet it.
Shoaib Timory, Herat, Afghanistan
Best Wishes to Afghanistan Cricket Team
I pray to( الله) and I,m sure you will get to your aim INSHALLAH
Sabrullah, swindon, uk
Good Luck Afghanistan Cricket Team I am sure you will do it .
Mike , London, UK
My best wishes to these brave men.
I sincerely hope they win their tournaments and make it to the world cup. Just as the Iraqi victory in the Asian foootball championships brought relief to that troubled nation, so some cricketing success for this proud war ravaged people would be wonderful.
Phil Shipham, Sydney, Australia