Indian-origin players in the Afghanistan Team

[Asch Ali]

This is a very controversial idea that might be unsupported by many Pakistani fans and other fans, for the very drawback that it is somewhat unfair.

People from native origins playing for different non-native countries is very normal in cricketing culture. Here are some very few examples of that:

*Imran Tahir, Pakistani, plays for South Africa
*Eoin Morgan, Irishman, plays for England
*Sikandar Raza, Pakistani, plays for Zimbabwe
*Chris Jordan, Caribbean, plays for England

The main reason a cricketing board might pick an international non-native player for their team would be because that person is extremely talented and their native national team won’t select them. Also because the team has a huge need for a player of that calibre, as they struggle to find native player that can match the skills to merit themselves the particular open spot in the squad.

Now with the explaining out of the way, let’s get to the point. Afghanistan is in this scenario where they have a deficit of talent (and just like England, South Africa, Zimbabwe, etc.), they will need to induct a few international/Kolpak players into their squad if they want to win. More specifically, the team of Afghanistan has a serious serious deficit of quality batsmen in their team (besides Mohammad Shahzad and Mohammad Nabi). So the focus will be on inducting a foreign talented batsmen in their team, following same model as other countries have done and continue to do. So let’s go in more deep and Eastwards!


India on the other hand has a serious serious overflow of quality world-class batsman, so much that if you can merit at least 3-4 teams of batsmen at the same time who can score profoundly and massively. They have DOZENS of Fawad Alams (maybe even better) batsmen who average 50+ in First-Class/List A who don’t get selected for the Indian team. SO, obvious solution for that will be if they don’t get selected for the national team when they are the caliber to be so, so why not a team (Afghanistan) that needs them select them. India and Afghanistan have a really good “relationship”, so selecting an Indian batsmen into the Afghani team will do diplomatic goodwill for India, as India loves to do that kinda stuff. And Afghanistan will finally have some match winners and quality players like their team.

What do all you guys think about this idea?

Should Afghanistan do this? Should India do this?

What are some Indian batsmen that might find a place in the Afghan team?

*Mayank Agrawal (1100 Runs, 105 AVG, 70 SR in Ranji Trophy)

 

[BreadPakoda]

Doesn't sound very good as the concept of representing you nation gets diluted. Also, Afghans take pride in representing their nation, and from what I know pride is above everything for them. So unlikely that they will take a foreign player in the team, so blatantly.

BCCI can help in other ways though. Allowing Afghan players to take part in our domestic games, advising the ACB on management, providing mentoring and conditioning sessions to the players, and allowing them to train at BCCI facilities. This would be better in long term.

 

[Asch Ali]

Doesn't sound very good as the concept of representing you nation gets diluted. Also, Afghans take pride in representing their nation, and from what I know pride is above everything for them. So unlikely that they will take a foreign player in the team, so blatantly.

BCCI can help in other ways though. Allowing Afghan players to take part in our domestic games, advising the ACB on management, providing mentoring and conditioning sessions to the players, and allowing them to train at BCCI facilities. This would be better in long term.

Well Afghanistan and India are brothers aren’t they? So wouldn’t they be happy that their brother is playing amongst them?

 

[BreadPakoda]

Well Afghanistan and India are brothers aren’t they? So wouldn’t they be happy that their brother is playing amongst them?

I wouldn't be happy if my brother takes my college exams for me or represents me at my office. I take pride in what I do. Hope you understand.

 

[Asch Ali]

I wouldn't be happy if my brother takes my college exams for me or represents me at my office. I take pride in what I do. Hope you understand.

Kolpak/International player is a common and LEGAL thing in cricketing culture.

Whilst undercover test-taking is considered cheating, ILLEGALS, and violation of education code. It would result in expulsion and others consequences.

Bad Analogy.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Kolpak/International player is a common and LEGAL thing in cricketing culture.

Whilst undercover test-taking is considered cheating, ILLEGALS, and violation of education code. It would result in expulsion and others consequences.

Bad Analogy.

Even if its legal, I wouldn't like it. I wouldn't even let anyone play a computer game on my behalf as the results would be hollow for me. I take pride in what I do, regardless of the results.

 

[Asch Ali]

Even if its legal, I wouldn't like it. I take pride in what I do, regardless of the results.

So England, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand don’t take pride in themselves?

While Afghanistan in HEAVY LOOSES does take pride in itself?

 

[Finisher]

Players from Fata and surrounding areas trying to qualify for Afghanistan is a very likely scenario.
Riffatullah tried to get permission to play for Afghanistan couple of years ago

 

[moghul]

This all business run by ICC and BCCI to reward Afghanistan the test status, playing "test" in India and creating all sort of record including a "test" century before lunch should be condemned by every serious follower of the game.

 

[Lion of Khyber]

Well Afghanistan and India are brothers aren’t they? So wouldn’t they be happy that their brother is playing amongst them?

If that’s the logic why not take players from
Pakistan ? Hence we Pathans from both side are same people, same blood. In fact we were one country before the British by force created the Durand Line.

Am originally from one of the Wazir tribes FATA, my tribesmen counting in millions on both sides of the line. In fact in today’s match two of them were playing. Nabi and Yamin.

 

[OneTip-OneHand]

Kolpak/International player is a common and LEGAL thing in cricketing culture.

Whilst undercover test-taking is considered cheating, ILLEGALS, and violation of education code. It would result in expulsion and others consequences.

Bad Analogy.

For anything like kolpak to happen, that player has to give up the right to play for India.

Now Here comes IPL in the picture. In this scenario he will be considered as an overseas player for IPL. Less numbers of overseas quota- Tough competition- Less chances to be picked.

You see how IPL has influenced Indian cricket and cricketers. Even if a player doesn’t get selected in national team for his entire career , he’ll get more stardom and money than lets say playing for Afghanistan.

A South African playing for England, an Irish playing England, a Newzealander playing for Australia is different. But chances of Indian cricketer doing it is one in millions.

 

[Pakistanian]

Great idea! India and Afghanistan are brothers! Two countries, one nation.

 

[BaankeJi]

This all business run by ICC and BCCI to reward Afghanistan the test status, playing "test" in India and creating all sort of record including a "test" century before lunch should be condemned by every serious follower of the game.

Really? That is very negative thinking about what has happened.
Think bigger and see how good it is for world of cricket. India is just playing its part just like Pakistan did a few days ago.

 

[Asch Ali]

Players from Fata and surrounding areas trying to qualify for Afghanistan is a very likely scenario.
Riffatullah tried to get permission to play for Afghanistan couple of years ago

I agree that would be the ideal plan. But unfortunately Afghanistan plays politics and does not see Pakistan as a friendly country. They consider India as their sole blood brother, as evident with them playin
their first Test match in Bangalore and having their home matches in Dehradun. An Indo-Afg cricket industrial trade is more likely than Afg-Pak industrial trade due to politics. The Afghanistan Cricket Board will never accept a Pakistani player, and that is the sad truth.

 

[Asch Ali]

Great idea! India and Afghanistan are brothers! Two countries, one nation.

They very well might be more than Brothers. I’m sure BCCI will NEVER allow IPL/Ranji Trophy interfer with any Afghanistan “home” match. This is a first in cricketing history. Every touring team to India will play against Afghanistan. The AFC and BCCI might combine one day and both brothers will take the same field in same jerseys in same team XI

 

[Brodipet_baadshah]

This all business run by ICC and BCCI to reward Afghanistan the test status, playing "test" in India and creating all sort of record including a "test" century before lunch should be condemned by every serious follower of the game.

yaa...finishing a game of 5 days within 2 days loosing the major chunk of the revenue just for the sake of records like century before lunch...thats bestest way to run the most profitable “business” i say...believe bcci is bossing icc on revenue front just because of these “intelligent” strategies lyk bashing minnows.

 

[Slim]

I got to say that the OP has the knack for opening threads with the weirdest opinions..

Why would Pakistanis have issues with whatever Afghans and Indians do? Thats ICCs problem. Not ours. We dont care.

 

[Asch Ali]

I got to say that the OP has the knack for opening threads with the weirdest opinions..

Explain, please.

Why would Pakistanis have issues with whatever Afghans and Indians do? Thats ICCs problem. Not ours. We dont care.

Why would ICC decide whether a cricket board wants to select a player? It defintely not their problem.

 

[Slim]

Explain, please.



Why would ICC decide whether a cricket board wants to select a player? It defintely not their problem.

The answer for the first part is self explanatory.

Nationality of cricketers is an ICC problem. Also, let me humour you, why did you say it would be Pakistan's problem?

 

[Asch Ali]

The answer for the first part is self explanatory.

Explain it

Nationality of cricketers is an ICC problem. Also, let me humour you, why did you say it would be Pakistan's problem?

It’s not a problem at all.

 

[big_gamer007]

In all the cases you have mentioned people from poor/developing country have gone to developed ones to play cricket..

How many times have you seen anyone from Australia or England playing for any Asian side?

So why would an indian ever migrate and play for Afghanistan? Afghanistan is a war torn country with few opportunities.. In addition to that religion comes into picture..

It’s the same with every other profession in the world you see people migrate to USA, Uk, Canada, Australia etc but how many people from their migrate to our part of the world? Only ones who come are due to work or tourists.. The few who stay long term get invlved massively into Spirituality and culture and even most of these guys are from some smaller European country or Israel..

So like all your other ideas this one is also pretty weird.

 

[cricketindiafan]

One step at a time. As a goodwill gesture, IPL should declare Afghan players as domestic players. Everything else will follow from there

 

[Ali_Pakistan]

That is a good idea.
I think players from Associate Nations should be considered as local players in the domestic cricket of the full members of ICC. That will help associate players to develop and improve their game.