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 | | Tuesday, 16 October, 2001, 00:56 GMT 01:56 UK Afghans pad up for peace  The Afghan players are focused on cricket A special BBC Sport Online correspondent watches the Afghan cricket team in action in Peshawar. Journalists from the international media outnumbered the crowd as the Afghan team took the field at the Gymkhana ground. Attired in white trousers and shirts by permission of their Taliban government, they say their aim is 'peace through cricket'. The game against Nowshera marked the start of a three-week trip to take part in Pakistan's Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, a non first-class competition. The emblem on their caps shows a holy book with the sun emerging from the background. "We have been plagued by war for the last 20 years, so the latest US strikes do not mean much to us. "We are in Pakistan as ambassadors of peace," said captain Allah Dad Noori. Just four policemen patrolled the ground as a small group of spectators chanted anti-US slogans. The Afghan team focused on cricket except when, during a break after their innings, they offered afternoon prayers. "War and destruction cannot stop us from playing - our job is to play cricket. "I am surprised the New Zealand team did not turn up in Pakistan, when we can come here and play," added Noori. The Afghans will play five more matches against teams from the North West Frontier Province.
Novices they may be on the field, but the determined Afghan cricketers are keen to learn and, eventually, make a wider mark in international cricket. Although all out for 125, batsman Nauroz Khan impressed with an attractive 32, including four boundaries, while Ahmed Wali Shah took four wickets as Nowshera replied with 224 for nine declared. "It's my first big game and I am delighted to take four wickets," Shah said afterwards. Afghanistan were 24 for two in their second innings at close of play, still needing another 75 to avoid an innings defeat. Pakistan successfully lobbied for Afghanistan's entry in the International Cricket Council fold as affiliate members in June this year. "We owe our cricket to Pakistan because they sent us kit last year and helped us gain affiliate membership," team manager Shumal Khan said. Afghanistan has over 200 cricket clubs with the game gaining in popularity in Kabul, Kandhar, Khost and Jalalabad. "Afghan refugees learnt the tricks of the game in Pakistan and interest was further generated throughout Afghanistan last year," Khan said. Youngsters play the game by using large stones as their stumps and sticks as a bat. "We hope that ICC give us more funds to develop the game once war ends," Khan added. "Cricket should go on because cricketers in white dress spread peace around the world, we too want to join that band and are fed up of war." | | See also:  Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Other top Cricket stories:  Links to more Cricket stories are at the foot of the page. | |
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