KARACHI, July 6: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) said on Sunday it would send an official to oversee cricket development in war ravaged Afghanistan next month with hopes that the country will establish a strong team at non-test level.

“ACC has planned to send its development officer Iqbal Sikander of Pakistan to Afghanistan in mid-August,” ACC development manager Zakir Hussain Syed told AFP from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“Iqbal will oversee areas to develop and on his report the ACC will arrange a support programme for Afghanistan.”

ACC development officers met in Kuala Lumpur on July 3 and 4 to discuss the ginger resumption of ties between Pakistan and India, steps to win one-day status for United Arab Emirates and Nepal and development areas for four new members including Afghanistan.

“Since all the Afghan players have played their initial cricket in Pakistan, the ACC hopes they will form an established team at non-test level in the next few years,” Zakir said.

Iqbal, part of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup winning team, will also visit new ACC affiliate members Saudi Arab, Bahrain and Iran. The return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan has slowly boosted cricket over football to become the most popular sport in Afghanistan.

More than 100 clubs play cricket on a regular basis and Afghanistan has fielded a team for the domestic Pakistani season for the past two years.—AFP