Afghanistan cricket fans took to the streets of the capital city Kabul, Jalalabad, Khost and Paktia to revel in historic T20 World Cup 2024 victory. A large number of fans danced, cheered and whistled on the main roads of various province in Afghanistan after the Rashid Khan-led side defeated Australia to book a spot in the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-finals.
“The reaction has been nothing short of incredible. It feels like a dream. In the past three years, there hasn’t been an occasion where so many people poured out onto the streets,” Hikmat Hasan, a former employee of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), who has been displaced after the Taliban assumed power, was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
“I visited a cake shop and saw many customers buying cakes with cricketers’ and cricket-related names written on them to celebrate at home,” he shared. “It feels surreal,” he added. “The emotions are indescribable. I’m at a loss for words.”
Today the celebrations hit the streets of Khost, Jalalabad and Paktia in Afghanistan. 🔥🤩#Afghanistan #T20WorldCup #AFGvsBAN pic.twitter.com/zyh5q6OtRN
— Fatima Ayoubi 🇦🇫🕊 (@FatimaAyoubi005) June 25, 2024
In the streets of Nangarhar, where Rashid Khan hails from, thousands of people rushed to the streets while large screens were set up in Jalalabad drawing large crowds to watch the match and join in the celebration. The Afghans turned in to Ariana TV, a prominent private channel in the Taliban-led country, to watch the historic moment unfold.
Afghanistan captain Rashid said that West Indies legend Brian Lara backed them to do well at the marquee event and while no one else did. “It’s an unbelievable feeling, and I think we have proved one person very right – Brian Lara, the only person who mentioned Afghanistan to be in the top four. I think we told him that as well when we met him at the welcome party – we will make sure we prove that right. I think when you get the kind of great, great statements from a legend, as a team, I think it gives you lots of energy as well,” he said.
Afghanistan will face Australia in the Super 8 clash of the first semi-final in Trinidad on June 26.
