Afghanistan invites Pakistan for cricket series
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KABUL: Afghanistan Cricket Board Chairman Atif Mashal expressed his desire to host Pakistan for a bilateral cricket series.
“I wish Pakistan visits Afghanistan for a series,” he said in an exclusive interview with the BBC Urdu.
“The condition in both countries is the same. However, we can host them in Kabul and provide ample security. We assure them that if they visit us, they’ll receive fool-proof security,” hes said.
He furhter said that veteran batsman Younus Khan has agreed to to a batting coach job with Afghanistan cricket team.
“The contract is being finalised and they are considering the demands made by the 39-year-old. We haven’t reached an agreement but we want to hire the services of the best players for our team,” said Mashal.
“If the contract materialises, Younus will become the fourth Pakistani — after national chief selector Inzamamul Haq, former captain Rashid Latif and former cricketer Kabir Khan — to coach Afghanistan. “We are looking at our possibilities and his demands,” said Mashal about the agreement.
Amid recent border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Mashal thinks cricket can play a big role in serving as the ice-breaker between the countries.
“Cricket diplomacy can improve the relations between countries,” he said. “It can serve as an ice-breaker between Pakistan and Afghanistan. A few Pakistani players are already playing the Afghan Super League [which is a good sign].”