Afghanistan’s Inter-provincial competition starts on 17 May
14.05.2010 09:48Afghanistan's only cricket ground is preparing for the mega domestic event. Photos by www.tolafghan.com
Afghan Cricket Board (ACB) is planning to organize a domestic cricket competition here in Kabul.
Dr. Aimal Shinwari the Chief Executive Officer of ACB said in an exclusive interview with The Cricket Post that twenty four provincial squads will compete in this domestic trophy. Afghanistan has thirty four provinces.
The competition, larger so for at the domestic level in Afghanistan, will start on Monday 17 May this year and will continue until 4 June, says Farid Hotak a media officer at ACB. The competition was planned originally to take place on 5th May, but due to logistic obstacles it was delayed to 13th May and later to 17th May. Afghanistan has only one grassy cricket ground with a turf wicket located in capital Kabul. The ground was not ready because the pitch was severely damaged by snow in the winter and had to be repaired.
The pitch in Kabul cricket ground in mesrible conditions after Kabul's snowy winter.
“This is a fifty-over competition and marks a strong beginning for domestic cricket we plan to have in Afghanistan. We plan for regular competitions throughout the year which, beside fifty-over, will include T20 and three day cricket. We have also instructed provincial directors to hold inter-district tournaments” A delighted CEO said.
National squad players will participate in the tournament representing different sides. Fast bowler Hamid Hassan and opener Karim Khan Sadiq will play in Nangarhar, Hasti Gul Abid and Aftab Alam in Kabul, and Hashmatullah Shahidi in Logar squads. Opener Noor Ali Zadran also confirmed his participation.
The teams are divided into four groups. One team from each group will proceed to semi final. all games start at 9:00 am Kabul local time, 04:30 GMT.
Last year a T20 Inter-provincial competition was held in Eastern city of Jalalabad. Twenty two provincial teams competed in the tournament. Kandahar left the trophy after a tough fight with Khost in the final.
Click here to see the earlier schedule. The amended schedule is not yet available.
A closer shot of the pitch in Kabul cricket ground after winter. ACB does not have appropriate quipments to protect the pitch against months long snowy winter.
Note: Photos were taken a month ago.