Afghanistan’s cricket miracle – from refugee camps to world cup semi-final, but marred by gender apartheid

By Richard Thomas, Swansea University

Claims that the USA’s victory against Pakistan in the T20 men’s cricket world cup was the most unexpected sporting moment of 2024 might now be considered premature, now that Afghanistan has won through to the semi-final, leaving teams such as Australia in their wake.

When the tournament began on June 1, most observers would have considered a semi-final line-up not featuring Australia as highly unlikely. That the 2021 champions were pipped to the post by Afghanistan would have been considered almost inconceivable. Even now, the idea that these cricketing minnows might go further and make it to the final is nigh on unthinkable.

But over the years, Afghanistan’s men have bagged victories against England, Pakistan, West Indies and Sri Lanka. Some of its players are becoming big names within T20 franchise leagues around the world.

Attacking all-rounder Mohammed Nabi for example, was the first Afghan cricketer purchased in the Indian premier league (IPL) player auction, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman is another short-format specialist and that most marketable of cricketing assets – a “mystery spinner”.

And in the ever-youthful T20 captain, Rashid Khan, they have what former English captain Michael Vaughan describes as “the best spinner in the world”.

But perhaps this team – coached by former England batsman Jonathan Trott – is generally greater than the sum of its parts, and the narrow victory over Bangladesh in the concluding stage of the world cup’s “Super 8s” on Tuesday is unquestionably the finest moment in the comparatively short history of Afghan cricket.

And almost as unexpected as the progression of the team itself was a video call of congratulation from a member of the ruling Taliban government.

https://x.com/AdityaRajKaul/status/1805575676248178907?t=bkD0Hsbho9IVz6yueddjPA&s=19

As one journalist noted: “This unexpected exchange underscored a rare moment of shared pride, blending sport with diplomacy amid complex political dynamics.”

Thereby hangs a tale for cricket in Afghanistan. Anything they have achieved has been done so against a hugely problematic cultural and political landscape.

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