Cricket is back in Kabul. And it’s hard to describe how much I’ve missed it. How much I’ve missed witnessing and reporting sports events, in general. The quarantine period really tested my love for sports journalism, but stepping into the Kabul International Cricket Stadium on September 6 for the first game of the Shpageeza Cricket League 2020, I confirmed that I cannot love my job any less.
Same could be said of the spectators who occupied 30 percent of the stadium’s capacity as they could not hide their excitement. The joy of watching cricket again in the open air after a lengthy lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak. From the beginning to the end of the game, the stands were alive.
The first game in the Shpageeza Cricket League 2020 saw last season’s runners-up Band-e Amir Dragons take on the defending champions Mis-e Ainak Knights. It ended in a victory for Mis-e Ainak Knights. The game was staged in compliance with health and safety guidelines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
I wore a mask and watched the match while maintaining a one-meter distance from others. I enjoyed being on the field again; interviewing athletes and compiling sports reports. The players were more than happy to see me.
They too were tired of quarantine and are happy to be back playing in the Afghan domestic cricket league.
Cricket is the favourite sport of the Afghan people and sports activities were banned all over the world to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In Sunday’s thrilling cricket contest, Band-e Amir dragons won the toss and elected to field first. Mis-e Ainak Knights scored 179 runs in the allotted 20 overs with seven wickets.
Mis-e Ainak Knights’ Shahzad Mohammadi and Hashmatullah Shahidi started the game very fast. Mohammadi got injured and was dismissed after scoring 54 runs. Shahidi scored 65 runs, while Ghamai Zadran scored 30 runs.
Sharafuddin Ashraf and Waqar Salamkhel took two wickets each while Hamid Hassan and Mohammad Ibrahim took one wicket each for Band-e Amir Dragons.
In second inning, Band-e Amir Dragons scored 178 runs by 5 wickets in 20 overs. Usman Ghani, Asghar Afghan and Hazratullah Zazai were the top scorers for the side.
Noor Ahmad Laknawal took two wickets, while Shapoor Zadran, Dawlat Zadran and Abdullah Mazari took one wicket each for Mis-e Ainak Knights and led their team to victory in the last over.
Band-e Amir Dragons lost the match by one run to Mis-e Ainak Knights.
Hashmatullah Shahidi of Mis-e Ainak Knights won the best player award, Usman Ghani won the stylish player award and Shahzad Mohammad won the most sixes player award.
Following the commencement of the Shpageeza Cricket League, the Afghanistan Football League is also expected to resume soon to quench the thirst of football fans.
