Pakistan played a one day against Afghanistan in Sharjah. Sharjah is the adopted home ground of the Afghanistan team since conditions are not suitable for home games in Afghanistan. Both teams had something in common, both do not have home grounds available for playing games. This is a sad situation. But this also makes this match up interesting and unique. Afghanistan did better than my expectation in the game. They were able to score more than 100 in the game. Then they bowled well as well and were able to take three Pakistani wickets. So I would say that Pakistan win was good and expected but not thoroughly impressive against a non test playing nation. Then again Pakistan's record against non test playing nations is not a very good one.
I do think that Pakistan should have rested its experienced players and played with a different one day squad. This way new players would have received some exposure.
I was also interested to see that the crowd was almost all for Afghanistan and there were hardly any Pakistani flags. This is most likely because Pakistani spectators didn't make much of this game to begin with.
I think this game is good for both countries. I was listening to an interview by the PCB chairman the other day. He was talking about how BCCI has intentionally attempted to deprive other Asian boards of income from the game of cricket. I think PCB made the right move by playing with Afghanistan. These games are bound to bring more spectators to the ground as compared to the test series we played with the number one test team in the world. I think it would also be very nice if Afghanistan could be the team to play us in Pakistan. I would really love to see them play us in Peshawar and Quetta. That will be a very good gesture from both teams and this will also patch up many sores. In fact I think PCB should have insisted on this game being played in Pakistan. Afghan team has no fear in Pakistan, especially when Taliban are sending them messages of good will before the game. I think Pakistan should play a full series with Afghanistan in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Decrease the amount of hatred that prevails across the border.
I do think that Pakistan should have rested its experienced players and played with a different one day squad. This way new players would have received some exposure.
I was also interested to see that the crowd was almost all for Afghanistan and there were hardly any Pakistani flags. This is most likely because Pakistani spectators didn't make much of this game to begin with.
I think this game is good for both countries. I was listening to an interview by the PCB chairman the other day. He was talking about how BCCI has intentionally attempted to deprive other Asian boards of income from the game of cricket. I think PCB made the right move by playing with Afghanistan. These games are bound to bring more spectators to the ground as compared to the test series we played with the number one test team in the world. I think it would also be very nice if Afghanistan could be the team to play us in Pakistan. I would really love to see them play us in Peshawar and Quetta. That will be a very good gesture from both teams and this will also patch up many sores. In fact I think PCB should have insisted on this game being played in Pakistan. Afghan team has no fear in Pakistan, especially when Taliban are sending them messages of good will before the game. I think Pakistan should play a full series with Afghanistan in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Decrease the amount of hatred that prevails across the border.
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