Afghan cricketers were raring to play T20 WC: Physio Prashanth

Team's physio who hails from Hyderabad says, with airports closed, the situation is little tense

Hyderabad: The developments in Afghanistan with Taliban taking over the country’s reign could put the game of cricket in jeopardy although the cricket board CEO Hamid Shinwari, said the new regime “loves” and “supports” the game.

There is a lot of uncertainty prevailing in Afghanistan cricket and this is something which few would have liked to happen with the T20 World Cup around the corner. Afghanistan has made rapid strides in the world of cricket, particularly in the T20 format as they have very good players like Rashid Khan, Mohd Nabi, Mujeeb and others.

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There is Hyderabad interest in Afghanistan cricket as Prasanth Panchada is the team’s physio. He was appointed as cricket physio in February 2020 and had been part of the team’s tours and at camps held in India and the UAE. A camp was also held in Kabul for the first time in June and July.

Prasanth, who was in the Hyderabad Ranji team in the past, was in Kabul for 35 days before returning to India on July 18. “It was normal and we had a camp in Kabul. The city was normal and we stayed near the outskirts of the capital. We were taken in a bullet-proof convoy to the camp from the airport. We were cut off from the outside world. The security was tight,” he recalled.

Prasanth believes the developments could put the players under some stress. “In fact, the players were raring to play for the September T20 World Cup in September in the UAE. But with airports closed, the situation is a little tense. We are keeping our fingers crossed,’’ he said.

He has been in touch with the players in Kabul and added, “I talk to them daily. The players say there are no practice sessions. Majority of them are in Kabul while few like Rashid Khan, Najib, Mujeeb are playing in the Hundred tournament in England. They looked very enthusiastic for T20 World Cup. Cricket developed during Taliban time in the past.’’

Prasanth said the immediate tournament is a series against Pakistan in Sri Lanka. “We are hoping to play that series as part of preparations for the September World Cup,’’ he said.