International standard cricket ground in Kabul soon: ACB

KABUL (Pajhwok): Construction work on an international standard cricket stadium would be launched this year and completed in two years, the cricket board chairman said on Sunday.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) director general Atif Mashal made the announcement at a special ceremony celebrating Afghanistan’s full membership of the International Cricket Council.

The ceremony was organized by buyers of the Afghan Shpageeza League tournament’s teams and players.

Mashal said becoming a Test playing nation was a huge achievement for Afghanistan, congratulating all Afghans on the success.

Mashal praised Afghan cricketers who started the game in ordinary streets and on unpaved grounds and now had achieved the ICC full-membership.

“This achievement was a result of efforts lasting long years, recently the efforts were intensified and a special commission was established to present a proper proposal to the ICC.”

Mashal also hinted at construction of an international standard cricket ground in eastern Laghman province in near future.

He also announced launching the Afghanistan Premiere League (APL) next year.

Mashal said work on an international cricket ground would be initiated in Kabul this year and would take two years to complete. The ground would have all international standard facilities.

Representatives from the companies sponsoring teams in the Shpageeza league also extended congratulations to all Afghans and assured of any kind of support to the Afghanistan cricket.

sns/ma