Members of Afghanistan's U-19 World Cup squad refuse to return, seek asylum in UK: Reports

As per reports, a few members of Afghanistan U-19 squ and some employees of Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) haven't returned to ir home country after conclusion of  U-19 World Cup in West Indies. Inste, y are reported to have fled to London seeking asylum.

Pashtova, an Afghan news media house, reported that some cricketers landed in United Kingdom following ir campaign in Caribbean Islands. ir reasons for not wanting to return to Afghanistan aren't known just yet.

This is also first time when Afghan cricketers sought asylum in anor country after Taliban took over Afghanistan. A few years ago, a few Afghan athletes sought asylum in Cana for various reasons inste of returning to Afghanistan.

Afghanistan U-19 team's performance at World Cup

Afghanistan, led by Suliman Safi, hogged limelight with ir spirited display on field. To start with, y topped table with Group C with four points from three games and a net run rate of 1.467. y, however, lost to Qasim Akram's Pakistan by 24 runs but defeated Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Zimbabwe by margins of over 100 runs each. In Super League semi-final, y gave eventual runners-up England, led by Tom Prest, a run for ir money

Allah Noor scored 60 with five fours and three sixes to keep Afghans in hunt for a win in rain-curtailed 47-over game. However, Rehan Ahmed picked up four wickets to deny Afghanistan a victory. 

Even in third-place playoff match on February 4 at Coolidge Cricket Ground, Safi and Co. me Australia sweat. After opting to bat first, Afghans managed to score only 201 in 49.2 overs. Ijaz Ahm Ahmzai top-scored for m with a 79-ball knock of 81.

Mohamm Ishaq and skipper Safi also me useful scores in 30s. reafter, Nangeyalia Kharote got three wickets to keep Aussie batters in check. But Australia marched along with half-centuries from Campbell Kellaway and Nivethan Rhakrishnan.

With nine runs needed off 30 balls, Aussies lost three quick wickets, but y got home with 14 balls left. Shahidullah Hasani and Noor Ahm also got two scalps apiece.

Image: ICC/ Twitter