ANDSF: It’s Not About Cricket, Our Criticism is Against the Players

Kauser News Agency, USA

Kabul, Afghanistan – Criticism of the Afghanistan National Cricket Team has sparked intense debates on social media and across various platforms. The growing accusations stem not from their performance on the field but rather alleged personal ties between certain team members and the Haqqani network.

Reports indicate that members of the team, including the captain, are regularly invited to dinners hosted by individuals with connections to the Taliban. These gatherings, including those at a tea house run by Anas Haqqani, have raised serious concerns among critics. A former officer of Afghanistan’s now-defunct National Directorate of Security (NDS) shared his thoughts on the matter. Speaking to Kauser News Agency, he stated:

“I ask myself why the team members go to Anas’s restaurant on Wazir Akbar Street 13 every Friday for dinner. Anas and his comrades are the butchers of the ANA, and in my view, anyone who eats and dances with them is committing treason against the shoulder of every soldier.”

The officer’s words resonate with many former members of the Afghan National Army (ANA), who fought valiantly against Taliban forces before the collapse of the Afghan government in 2021.

For these critics, the issue is not about the sport itself. Afghan citizens have a deep love for cricket, which has grown into a unifying national pastime over the years. However, the perceived political affiliations of certain players have clouded their achievements on the field.

Former ANA members emphasized this distinction, expressing their dismay at the team’s associations rather than their athletic prowess. “It’s not about cricket,” one said, “we love cricket. But the behavior of these players—where they dine and whom they associate with—sends a very different message. They should be representing the aspirations of the Afghan people, not mingling with those who destroyed the Afghan security forces.”

The Afghanistan cricket team has not responded to these allegations, but the controversy continues to grow. For many Afghans, cricket symbolizes hope, resilience, and national pride. These connections between players and controversial figures risk tarnishing the sport’s reputation at a time when Afghanistan desperately needs unity.

As the debate unfolds, the Afghan people are left questioning the role of their beloved cricket team and the responsibilities that come with carrying the nation’s flag.