Under-19 Elite Cup winners honoured

KABUL): Senior government officials and politicians paid rich tributes to under-19 cricketers at an overnight reception held in their honour for clinching the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Under-19 Elite Cup title for a second time in a row.

The Afghan side thrashed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the final played in Malaysia on Saturday, making it to next year’s Under-19 World Cup.

Late on Tuesday night, the victorious squad was felicitated at a reception that was attended by Senate chairman Abdul Hadi Muslimyar, Economy Minister Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal, Presidential Advisor and the Cricket Board’s Director Shahzada Massoud and National Coalition of Afghanistan leader Abdullah Abdullah.

Prominent among others were the Administrative Affairs head at the Presidential Palace Dr. Sadiq Mudabbir, national assembly members, Logar governor Arsala Jamal, officials of ministries and the cricket board’s chief executive officer Noor Mohammad Murad.

Shahzada Massoud said the performance showed by the Afghan cricketers at the Elite Cup was matchless on regional level. He said their unbeaten run was a result of tough training they underwent ahead of the mega event.

Massoud said the most remarkable thing was that Afghan coaches had shown their worth, enabling Afghanistan to shun reliance on foreign mentors.

Arghandiwal, who congratulated the under-19 crew on their success, said he lacked words to express his feelings and joys. He said the success showed the Afghans had the potential to prove their worth in every field of life.

Muslimyar said the cricketers were the real ambassadors of Afghanistan and a great asset of the nation.

Abdullah said the Afghan squad had been successful in all departments of the game. He said cricket was a national process that had not been confined to a particular tribe or class.

Etisalat telecommunication company representative Zakria Hassan said his company had always extended its support to the Afghan cricket team and would continue to do so.

At the end, the cricketers were presented gifts jointly by the cricket board and Etisalat.

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