ACB heading in the right direction amid COVID challenges: Chairman

KABU ( Pajhwok): Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) Chairman Farhan Yusefzai says, despite the menacing challenges faced last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, ACB is headed in the right direction.

In a press conference today at the ACB, Yusefzai shared his achievements during his two-year tenure as the head of the organization.

Yusefzai said,  that despite the menacing challenges faced last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, ACB is headed in the right direction.

He pointed out to ACB’s achievements during his two-year tenure including player coordination, strengthened domestic cricket structure, Afghan players’ notable performances across the globe, strong anti-corruption stance, allocation of land for a state of the art stadium in Kabul and bilateral developments with Sharjah Cricket Council for Afghanistan’s future fixtures.

The chairman also informed that the International Cricket Council would increase its grants by as much as 60% for ACB which will further strengthen the organization’s financial independency.

Referring to the second edition of Afghanistan Premier League (APL),  Yusefzai added that ACB was on the stronger side of the case and the tournament would be held in February 2022 provided that there were no COVID-19 restrictions involved by then.

Yusefzai pointed out the drastic impact that COVID-19 has had on the cricketing world, but added that despite all the challenges, ACB has managed to conduct tournaments.

” We had planned to organize the eighth edition of Shpageeza Cricket League this July. However, due to the third wave of COVID-19 in the country, the event will be held later in the year. “ he added.

Referring to Afghanistan’s upcoming international commitments, Yusefzai said that the current focus is to prepare the national team for the ICC ODI Super League matches against Pakistan as well as the T20 World Cup later in the year.

He also added that, courtesy of efforts from the Honorable Ambassador of Afghanistan in Colombo, negotiations are underway to organize series against Sri Lanka in near future.

The ACB Chairman expressed his gratitude to foreign coaches who come to Afghanistan to perform their duties with the national team despite the tense security situation in the country.

Yusefzai concluded the Presser by stating the considering the relevant factors, ACB is headed in the right direction and expressed confidence that the national team will achieve more at the international stage.

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