Afghanistan’s cricket team recently won a crucial Cricket World Cup match against the Netherlands, and their captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, dedicated the victory to Afghan refugees who are facing a tough time in Pakistan.
Pakistan is currently home to more than four million Afghan migrants and refugees, and around 1.7 million undocumented Afghan refugees have been told to leave the country.
Hashmatullah Shahidi expressed his empathy for the struggles of these refugees, saying that the team watched videos of their plight, and he wanted to dedicate the win to them. He also mentioned that he had lost his mother recently, so winning is a big achievement for his family and his country.
The Afghan cricket team has been performing well in the World Cup, and they are on a three-match winning streak, putting them in contention for the semi-finals. This achievement is significant, and it means a lot to the Afghan people.
Around 50 Afghan fans in Lucknow were celebrating their team’s success. They particularly wanted to win against Pakistan because of how Afghan refugees are being treated there. Wakil Ahmad, a student, said that winning against Pakistan would be like winning the World Cup and that the treatment of Afghan refugees is inhumane as per Indian Express.
Afghanistan Cricket Team mostly made of Afghan Refugees
Opener Ibrahim Zadran, who was named the player of the match against Pakistan, dedicated his performance to Afghan refugees. He mentioned that the team’s success has brought smiles back to the faces of people in Afghanistan, and their main goal is to make their fellow countrymen happy.
Afghanistan’s head coach, Jonathan Trott, emphasized that the players are well-aware of the issues in their country, such as the refugee crisis. He noted the joy and smiles the team brings to the Afghan people, both in the changing room and across the nation.
Trott, who hails from England and South Africa, mentioned that he is learning about the game from a different perspective and culture in Afghanistan, which has been a unique experience for him.
Assistant coach Raees Ahmadzai, who was born in a refugee camp in Pakistan, expressed his heartache over the refugee crisis in Pakistan.
He grew up playing cricket in the refugee camp and understands the harsh conditions refugees face, such as restrictions on movement, lack of proper clothing, food, and clean water. The Afghan cricket team is grateful for the opportunity to represent their homeland and make a positive impact.
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