KARACHI, Sept 22: A cricket team from Afghanistan, where the sport was once banned by the hardline Taliban regime, arrived in Pakistan on Thursday for a week-long tour ahead of the Asian Cricket Council trophy. The 15-member squad’s visit to neighbouring Pakistan is the third since 2002 and comes amid a minor cricket revival in the war-torn country, captain Khaliqdad Noori said.

“Cricket is progressing well in Afghanistan and we hope that in the coming years we will have a very strong team,” said Noori, whose brother Allahdad was the first captain of the team and now heads the Afghanistan Cricket Foundation.

“We are here to get prepared for the ACC Trophy next year and hope Pakistan will continue its support for Afghan cricket,” Noori said.

Afghanistan featured in the ACC Trophy in Malaysia last year when they won one out of three matches.

There are now more than 3,500 registered cricketers in Afghanistan and league based events are played in 16 provinces.

“President Hamid Karzai takes a keen interest in cricket and has promised funds and other help for the team which are so much needed for the promotion,” said Noori.

Pakistan has been at the forefront of efforts to help Afghanistan develop a cricket infrastructure, providing them with equipment and allowing them to participate in events.

Afghanistan played five one-day games in Pakistan two years ago and featured in Pakistan’s season in 2002 and 2003.

The International Cricket Council (ICC), the governing body of cricket, gave affiliated membership to Afghanistan in 2002 and a year later it earned recognition from the ACC.

ACC development manager Iqbal Sikander toured Afghanistan in August 2003 and pledged all out support for Afghan cricket.

The ACC has plans to invite Afghanistan’s under-15, under-17, under-19 and senior teams to its events over the next five years, with tour expenses paid by the council.

During their 11-day stay in the city they would play one-day matches against PIA, Pakistan Customs, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), AOCC, Dewan Motors and the KCCA.

Squad: Khaliqdad Noori (captain), Asadullah Khan (vice-captain) Ahmad Shah Ahmadi, Badshah Hussain, Nowroze Khan Mengal, Alam Khan Baloch, Mohammad Khan, Khan Mohammad, Haqdad Zoranoosh, Sadullah Khan Sadaat, Nasar Khan, Hameed Khan Shenwari, Izzatullah Khan and Naveed Khan Kakar.

Officials: Haji Azizullah Fazli (manager), Mohammad Shafiq Stanikzai (physio), Bahram Khan Sahaak (umpire).

Schedule

Sept 23: v PIA (National Stadium).

Sept 24: v A.O. CC (Asghar Ali Shah Stadium, D/N).

Sept 26: v Pakistan Customs (National Stadium).

Sept 28: v Sui Southern Gas (PCB Academy Ground).

Sept 30: v Dewan Motors (PCB Academy Ground).

Oct 2: v KCCA (KCCA Stadium).—Agencies