Before we go into this story, we must say that we had the MOST amazing time researching and writing it. There are only a few stories that make you wonder “WOW, politics is shady!” Okay so here goes

Background:
Afghanistan was invaded by Soviet Union (now called as Russia) in 1979. This war lasted for 10 years and during this time, the Afghanis split – a group called as Pashtuns went to Pakistan to get shelter while the Tajiks went to Uzbekistan. In Pakistan, the Pashtuns learned cricket in their refugee camps (because Cricket is a big deal for them even though they are bad at it – sorry had to do that!) while the Tajiks learned football in their refugee camps as that is what the Uzbeks played.

After the war, both groups came back to Afghanistan and because there were more Pashtuns than Tajiks, they took over the Afghani govt. and started making cricket as part of the national sport.

Cut to today – Afghanistan – a country that has mostly been war torn is slowly becoming less and less scary and sees a path to better civilization and life in the near future. Oh and it also happens to have large reserves of natural resources that have been untouched by anyone. Natural resources that can help any country and the companies of those countries excel by 100x and meet the energy demands of its people.
You must be like “Arree but what does any of this have to do with the title!” 
Yes yes, we are getting there – okay so here goes:
 
1.Why are Asian countries extra supportive of Afghani cricket? 
To decrease the West’s influence on Afghanistan & its resources.
•	But Kyun? Because for far too long they have been in the shadows of the western countries and finally have a chance to get first cut at economy-boosting natural resources that the West would have probably robbed.
•	And How?  When you think of even us – doesn’t matter Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Tamilian, Punjabi or Telugu – when a match is on we put all religious differences aside and cheer for the team as one nation. Asian countries (e.g. India, Australia) want to create the same kind of emotions within the Afghanis. This way, they start identifying with cricket as their country uniting sport (and not football) and thus, start associating themselves with Asian countries (and not West) as having more in common with them to ultimately allow same Asian countries to be trade partners (e.g. give contracts for mining, etc.) vs. the Western ones.
 
2.Why is India extra extra supportive of Afghani cricket? 
To counter Pakistan – dushman ka dushman is FRANDDDD
•	But Kyun? You see, even though Pakistan allowed Afghanis to get shelter, Afghanistan & Pakistan are actually not friends. Because after the Soviet War, Pakistan tried and succeeded in engulfing major parts of Afghanistan’s territory!
•	And How? Because Afghanistan shares a border with Pakistan, India is super duper keen (and already has to some extent) placed our military forces in Afghanistan to counter Pakistan at the drop of a hat. And so, to let us continue doing this, we have funded a TON of non-profit development projects in Afghanistan and because Cricket is of such dear importance to the Afghan central govt. that we have allowed Afghan cricketers to come to Noida and practice their skills as well. The best analogy for this is – you want to keep an eye on your dushman PAK-esh and the perfect way to do this is by installing cameras facing in Pakesh’s house. Now it just so happens that your other neighbor AF-eena has the best view into Pakesh’s house so you get Afeena some mithai and continuously support her hobbies in exchange for using her house to keep an eye on Pakesh – Got it?

Bottomline: Not sure about you but we were mind-blown by all this political chanakya-giri that goes on at such high levels! If you think this was interesting and equally mind blown, leave us a review on Playstore saying “Chanakya-giri 4 lyfeeee” we will get the message and can source more such articles for you!

#31 How Geo - Politics Is Playing A Role In Afghani Cricket System

Nandoo