By IRNA,
London : The MCC, England’s most famous cricket club and authority, has sent its congratulations to the Afghanistan cricket team following its historic qualification for the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies.
“Everyone at MCC has been thrilled to see the progress of the Afghan national team. MCC has played its small part in their journey and it is gratifying to see how sport can overcome so many barriers and even tragedy,” MCC chief executive Keith Bradshaw said.
“We feel that we can best contribute to the further development of the game in Afghanistan by concentrating on the grassroots in the country,” Bradshaw said.
Former England all-rounder and army officer Matthew Fleming, who has visited Afghanistan twice, has led MCC’s efforts, alongside the charity Afghan Connection, to encourage Afghan children to play cricket.
Fleming attended an MCC Spirit of Cricket camp for more than 300 children at Jalalabad University in May 2009 and also attended the opening of two cricket pitches funded by MCC. Seven more will be built in the next 18 months.
“With Matthew Fleming guiding us, and working in conjunction with Afghan Connection, MCC will continue to lend our support in the region,” Bradshaw said.
Afghanistan earned the right to take on the leading cricket nations at the ICC World Twenty20 competition in April after winning a qualifying competition in Dubai on Saturday.