A local cricket league aims to promote youth talent and expand the sport in southern Afghanistan.
Uruzgan| Karimullah Adabi
The Department of Cricket in Uruzgan province has officially inaugurated its annual Twenty20 tournament under the name of the Annual Cup, featuring six local teams. The competition began with a ceremony attended by cricket officials, youth representatives, sponsors, and dozens of passionate fans.
Addressing the opening event, Uruzgan’s Cricket Director, Khairullah Afghan, stressed that such tournaments play a vital role in nurturing young players, creating healthy activities for the youth, and strengthening the foundations of cricket in the province. He added that the league will last for 12 days, with a total of 16 matches scheduled, and the champion team will be awarded the tournament trophy.
Youth participants and supporters welcomed the competition enthusiastically, saying that local leagues offer players both exposure and an opportunity to represent their province in larger Afghan tournaments.
Cricket has rapidly grown in Afghanistan over the past two decades, becoming the country’s most popular sport. While Afghanistan’s national team competes on the international stage, local leagues like the one in Uruzgan are seen as essential platforms for developing young talent and preparing players for higher-level domestic and international competitions.