Ghani, Abdullah, others greet cricket team

KABUL Cup against Scotland on Thursday, President Ghani, CEO Abdullah and other high officials congratulated the team and the nation.

Afghanistan beat Scotland by one wicket on Thursday at Dunedin’s University Oval as they slumped to 97 for seven in pursuit of a modest victory target of 211.

Samiullah Shenwari’s breathtaking 96 with seven fours and five sixes took Afghanistan to the brink of a sensational victory.

The last-wicket duo of Hamid Hassan (15 not out) and Shapoor Zadran (12 not out) held their nerve, with Shapoor striking the winning boundary off Iain Wardlaw three balls into the last over.

In a statement from the Presidential Palace, President Ghani congratulated the national team and the Afghan nation over the historic victory and said he was proud of the boys.

He also congratulated the cricket board and hoped the Afghan players would continue their remarkable rise in the field.

The president urged the Afghans to warmly welcome their players on return home and respect their achievements.

Afghanistan Cricket Board spokesman Farid Hotak told Pajhwok Afghan News the president phoned Afghan cricketers and congratulated them on their maiden victory in the mega event.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah also greeted the players and the nation on the victory. “In today’s game, all the team proved their ability, Samiullah Shinwari’s heroic performance took the side to the historic victory,” Abdullah said in a statement.

The CEO called the World Cup victory a big achievement for Afghanistan, a country where hundreds of people were daily killed as a result of the war, bomb blasts and natural disasters.

More than 200 people were reportedly killed in various parts of the country in a series of avalanches and flash floods triggered by heavy snowfall and rains for three days in a row.

Abdullah said the Afghans with their victory in the World Cup sent out a message of peace to the world that they wanted to live in peace like other nations.

Former president Hamid Karzai also congratulated the national team on their victory. “It brought me joy when I learned Afghanistan have defeated Scotland in the World Cup. I congratulate from the core of my heart the national team and the Afghans over the win,” said Karzai.

Similarly, Interior Minister Noorul Haq Ulumi, former finance minister Dr. Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal, Balkh governor Atta Mohammad Noor, Maidan Wardak governor Abdul Majeed Khogyani, Khost governor Abdul Jabbar Naeemi and other officials congratulated the team and the nation over the victory.

The US Embassy in Kabul also greeted the Afghans over the victory.

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