No worries for Afghan players to continue playing cricket; more players included in the forthcoming CPL 2021

On the eve of the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, Rashid Khan called on world leaders to defend their country. They feared the Taliban would actually shut down their cricket. But the Taliban did not interfere in their cricket even after capturing Kabul.

Afghan cricketers are getting opportunities to play franchise cricket in different countries. This time three more Afghan cricketers got a chance to play in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2021. They are Qais Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Waqar Salamkheil.

Qais Ahmad will play in Jamaica Tallawahs. Naveen-ul-Haq and Waqar Salamkheil will both play for Guyana Amazon Warriors. The Jamaica Tallawahs and Barbados Royals drafted two more Afghan cricketers last May. They are Ibrahim Zadran and Shafiqullah Ghafari. But in the end, the two of them were not included in the team.

Afghanistan’s top players Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman were not on the preliminary list of CPL 2021 because they will play a three-match ODI series against Pakistan for Afghanistan, which is scheduled to take place in Hambantota (Sri Lanka) in early September.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s star cricketers Chris Morris, Anrich Nortje, and Rassie van der Dussen will not be able to play in the CPL 2021. Also, Sri Lankan cricketer Wanindu Hasaranga will not be able to play.

For more interesting happenings in world cricket, stay with Baji!