Afghanistan’s Potential in Cricket
Nothing better exemplifies T20 cricket’s launchpad than the ascent of Afghanistan, who might be T20 cricket’s equivalent of Fiji in 7s.
“We are good at T20 because it is the format in which we get the most exposure, apart from the fact that it is commercially sustainable,” says Shafiq Stanikzai, former chief executive of the Afghanistan Cricket Association.
Afghanistan is anticipated to surprise a few people at the T20 World Cup, despite their troubled build-up and the recent situation at home. Afghan players, on the other hand, have an impact that extends beyond the country’s borders. Afghan cricketers have also played an important role in Germany’s recent resurgence.
“Around 2,00,000 Afghan immigrants have arrived in Germany in the previous five years, and every second one is a cricket addict.”
“Many of them played cricket, and a couple of them are members of the national squad,” Mantle says.
Even though it is doubtful that anyone other than the traditional powerhouses will win the T20 World Cup, teams like Afghanistan and Scotland, who overcame Bangladesh in the ICC event’s first round, have proved that beating them could get more difficult with each iteration
And that should serve as motivation for other partner nations. “These guys serve as role models for us.” Scotland’s goal is to play against England, India, and Pakistan. to play them and, sometimes, defeat them Similarly, getting on the pitch with Afghanistan, Scotland, Ireland, or the Netherlands is a goal for Mantle.
“We want to play them, see how good we are compared to them, and maybe one day beat them,”
he adds. “It would be fantastic if we could one day do what they have.” But there’s a long way to go.”
Cricket as a political tool in Pakistan
According to sociologists, the ruling classes all over the world use sports to divert attention away from serious political matters. Cricket serves a similar purpose in Pakistan. People forget about terrible administration and skyrocketing inflation during cricket tournaments and seek refuge in nationalism.
“Cricket is becoming more and more intertwined with politics in India and Pakistan,” said Paracha.
Sports, according to Sulehriya, can also be beneficial. “In the context of Afghanistan, cricket has become a symbol of defiance against the Taliban. In India and Pakistan, however, the governing classes use cricket to divert attention away from their oppressive policies.”
Pakistan is undergoing one of the most severe economic crises in its history. Khan has come under fire for soaring prices and a weakening currency. Cricket, on the other hand, provides an opportunity for his government to “unify” the country. “Khan has benefited greatly from the combination of nationalism and cricket, but his popularity is waning.
Experts consider Khan, who entered politics after retiring from professional cricket in 1992, to be one of the most significant beneficiaries of Pakistan’s depoliticization. Khan was dubbed the “messiah” for winning the country’s first World Cup before becoming a powerful political figure.
His fans believe that if he can “miraculously” bring the world’s most renowned trophy to Pakistan, he will be able to “fix” the country’s numerous issues. “Imran Khan, I believe, can purge the country of corruption. He can strengthen Pakistan, just as he did with his World Cup-winning cricket team.
He does, however, require a more capable management staff “Nazar, a Lahore-based banker, agreed. Cricket, according to analysts, is to blame for Pakistanis’ “depoliticization,” in which they believe in easy solutions to complicated situations.
“Cricket has become a political tool in India and Pakistan; it is no longer just a sport,” says analyst Paracha.
What can be of interest to the people of Pakistan related to cricket besides watching matches and news?
Pakistanis, of course, may be interested in betting on cricket. Why not generate money from cricket if you have a strong understanding of the game? The 1xBet website https://1xbetonline.in/ offers a wide variety of bets on practically every cricket tournament.
One of the project’s major advantages is its generous and diverse bonus scheme. The administration compensates new and regular players with big bonuses and awards for their wagers. This, combined with the high odds, makes 1xBet one of the top cricket betting sites.
