Taliban meets Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahid, says 'we fully support cricket'

Taliban leer Anas Haqqani met Afghanistan national cricket team captain Hashmatullah Shahidi on Saturday where he affirmed support of fundamentalist group for sport. Asserting that  Islamic Emirate laid foundation of cricket in Afghanistan, Anas Haqqani interacted with Hashmatullah Shahidi and members of Afghanistan cricket team and selection board. Afghan cricketer Noor Ali Zran and former cricket board selection committee chairman Asullah Khan were also a part of meeting with Taliban.

Taliban dines with Afghan cricketers

meeting with Afghanistan cricket team comes days after extremist group met former skipper Asghar Afghan. As per images shared by Republic sources, Taliban commandoes were seen feasting with Afghanistan's former skipper Asghar Afghan and also taking selfies.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's frontline cricket players have expressed concerns over ongoing Taliban-led atrocities in ir country. Star players such as Rashid Khan, Mohamm Nabi, and Mujeeb Zran who are currently in UK as a part of 'Hundred' tournament have appealed to world leers to help war-torn nation. 

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen, who is involved with 'Hundred' event in UK, said Rashid is worried about situation back home and is unable to get his family out of country. "We h a long chat here on boundary talking about it and he's worried. He can't get his family out of Afghanistan and re's a lot of things happening for him," Pietersen told Sky Sports.

Afghanistan Cricket Board on Taliban 

After taking over Kabul, Taliban commandoes armed with weapons stormed into Afghan Cricket Board (ACB) Hequarters to express ir 'love' for game. Afghan cricket board CEO Hamid Shinwari said that Taliban will support cricket and will not interfere with it. 

Shinwari said, " Taliban love cricket. y have supported us since beginning. y did not interfere in our activities. I don't see any interference and expect support so that our cricket can move forward. We have got an active chairman, and I remain CEO until furr notice."