President appoints new ACB leadership

KABUL Cricket Board (ACB), an official said on Sunday.

ACB spokesman Farid Hotak told Pajhwok Afghan News the decree was issued on Saturday. ACB deputy CEO Nasimullah Danish was appointed as general director, replacing Shahzada Massoud and Shafique Stanikzai was appointed as CEO replacing Dr. Noor Mohammad Murad.

Hotak said the two officials were introduced to ACB staff at a special gathering in Kabul on Sunday noon.

Before noon, former director general Shahzada Massoud introduced the new ACB leaders to media representatives, saying they had been appointed by the president to help further improve the board’s affairs and promote cricket in the country.

He said Danish and Stanikzai had vast experience in cricket field and they would be able to further improve the game’s situation.

Massoud said he had always tried to maintain ironclad unity in the cricket board and players and urged the new officials to stay united and keep cricket at distance from politics.

Danish, praising activities of the outgoing director general, said they had come with a strong planning.

He said their first steps included promotion of domestic cricket and evolution of a 10-year plan for international events. He said their other goals included the achievement of Test cricket status.

New CEO Stanikzai said President Ashraf Ghani had appointed them after a test, which they qualified.

He said besides developing domestic cricket, they would chalk out a strategy for the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zeeland.

ACB spokesman Farid Hotak said former coach Taj Malook had been appointed as technical deputy director and Azizullah as deputy administration director.

The new director general and CEO were called on President Ghani at the Presidential Palace in the morning.

A statement from the Presidential Palace said the president described the national cricket team as Afghanistan’s pride. Ghani said the ACB would perform its activities as an independent organ and a special attention would be always given to the national players.

The president wished more success for ACB and said India, Pakistan and Sari Lanka had promised him assistance in improving the body’s affairs.

Danish expressed the hope that the national team would be further strengthened under an organised plan.

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