Pakistan and Afghanistan Cricket War

How Did Cricket Become Politicized in the Subcontinent?

Cricket, often referred to as the "gentleman's game," has taken on an entirely different identity in the subcontinent, morphing into a battleground of politics and diplomacy. What once symbolized sportsmanship has, over time, been weaponized by India against Pakistan, and now, Afghanistan has become embroiled in this complex rivalry. Tensions between these nations are no longer confined to political arenas—they are playing out visibly on cricket pitches across the region. 

When we think of Afghanistan, certain stereotypical images often come to mind, largely shaped by the media: a woman in a burqa, a bearded man with a Kalashnikov, and barren landscapes. Rarely do we view Afghanistan in its full complexity, with its rich ethnic and religious diversity. The country, with its layered history, is far more than these limiting representations.

For decades, Pakistan and India were the traditional cricketing rivals in the subcontinent. But in recent years, this rivalry has extended to include Afghanistan, which has emerged as a new contender. The question arises: how did Afghanistan, a nation whose cricket program was once nurtured by Pakistan, become its adversary on the field?

The irony is unmistakable. Many of Afghanistan's star cricketers were born in Pakistan, raised there, and learned to play the sport in its fields and stadiums. Pakistan played a crucial role in building Afghan cricket from the ground up—supporting its infrastructure, providing financial aid, and even supplying its first coach.

However, as Kabul's political alignment shifted, so did its cricket board's loyalties. India, seeking to expand its influence in Afghanistan, built cricket stadiums there and began financially backing the Afghan cricket board. The lure of the Indian Premier League (IPL) also pulled Afghan players toward India. This geopolitical maneuvering caused a rift between the cricket boards and administrations of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

There’s an Afghan proverb that sums up the harsh realities of history: "May God save you from the venom of a cobra, the teeth of a lion, and the vengeance of an Afghan." 

Afghanistan's historical legacy is steeped in tales of plunder, and for centuries, its tribes survived by raiding wealthier lands. In fact, every time a tribal army set out for Punjab, countless Afghan tribes joined in, driven by the necessity of survival, as their barren lands offered little by way of agriculture.

کھادا پیتا لاہے داتے باقی احمد شاھے دا 

In modern times, the game of cricket became another front in this regional struggle. The turning point in recent Afghan-Pakistan relations came when the Soviet Union raised the red flag over Kabul, marking the beginning of a new era. The winds of history blew in a new direction, one that sought to rewrite old narratives and forge new alliances. Anti-Pakistan movements took root, and now, some in Kabul seek to reignite these hostile winds from the West toward the East.

Afghanistan's geographic location—rugged, mountainous, and perilous—has earned it the moniker "graveyard of empires." British forces learned this the hard way in the Anglo-Afghan wars, and the Russians and Americans faced similar fates. While the region may have seemed unconquerable at times, historical conquerors like the Persians, Mongols, and Alexander the Great managed to subdue it briefly. Yet, in the end, it was conflict and chaos that endured, as locals resisted both foreign invaders and their own rulers, preventing any one faction from holding power for long.

A Brief Timeline of Afghanistan's History:

• Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Timur, and the Mughals: Afghanistan's strategic location made it a crossroads for some of history's greatest empires. Alexander spent three years leading his army and elephants through its treacherous terrain.
• 1219: Genghis Khan's forces ravaged Balkh and Herat, erecting towers made of human skulls.
• 1500: Babur left the Ferghana Valley to conquer Kabul, laying the groundwork for the Mughal Empire.
• 1747: Ahmad Shah Durrani, appointed Afghanistan's first king at the Loya Jirga, would go on to defeat the Marathas and capture Delhi and Kashmir.
• 1880–1901: Amir Abdur Rahman, known as the "Iron Amir," ruled Kabul, negotiating the infamous Durand Line with the British.
• 1926: Amanullah declared himself king and introduced progressive reforms, but his efforts were met with resistance, leading to his eventual ouster.
• 1979: The Soviet invasion triggered decades of war, displacing millions and setting the stage for the rise of the Mujahideen.
• 1989: The withdrawal of Soviet forces marked a victory for the Mujahideen but also left Afghanistan in chaos, as competing factions vied for power.

1989-1992: Aftermath of Soviet Withdrawal

• February 15, 1989: The Soviet Union completes its withdrawal from Afghanistan after nearly a decade of military involvement, leaving a power vacuum and escalating civil conflict among various factions
• April 1992: The Mujahideen, a coalition of anti-communist factions, oust President Mohammad Najibullah, leading to the establishment of a transitional government. However, internal rivalries soon erupt into civil war1992-1996: Rise of the Taliban

• 1994: The Taliban emerge as a significant force, gaining control over Kandahar and promising to restore peace and security through strict Islamic law
• September 1996: The Taliban capture Kabul, imposing a harsh interpretation of Sharia law and significantly restricting women's rights and freedoms2001: U.S. Invasion

• October 7, 2001: Following the September 11 attacks, the U.S. launches Operation Enduring Freedom, targeting the Taliban regime for harboring al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The Taliban are quickly ousted from power2001-2014: Reconstruction and Ongoing Conflict

• December 2001: A new interim government led by Hamid Karzai is established with international support
• 2004: Afghanistan adopts a new constitution, establishing itself as an Islamic republic with democratic elections
• 2014: NATO formally ends its combat mission in Afghanistan, transitioning security responsibilities to Afghan forces amid ongoing insurgency challenges from the Taliban and other groups2020-2021: U.S. Withdrawal and Taliban Resurgence

• February 29, 2020: The U.S. and Taliban sign the Doha Agreement, stipulating the withdrawal of U.S. troops in exchange for Taliban commitments to prevent terrorist activities
• August 15, 2021: The Taliban recapture Kabul as U.S. forces complete their withdrawal, marking a dramatic return to power after two decades of conflictPost-2021 Developments

• 2021-Present: Following the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan faces significant humanitarian crises, with reports of human rights violations and resistance movements emerging against the new regime. The situation remains unstable as international recognition and aid are heavily debated

Throughout its history, Afghanistan has been a land where empires rise and fall, often at the mercy of the forces that sweep through its mountainous terrain. Today, it remains a focal point of geopolitical tension, and cricket has become an unlikely stage for this ongoing saga. The game is no longer just a sport but a reflection of the broader struggles for influence and power in the region.

Afghanistan’s Dual Ideological Divide: A Struggle Between Religion and Nationalism

In recent events, Afghanistan's ideological landscape is often seen as divided into two distinct schools of thought. On one side is the religious ideology, which has been nurtured and cultivated over the years. On the other side is nationalism, which, at various points in history, has been promoted as a counterbalance to religious dominance. Despite the political influence of religious groups that has grown since the Afghan Jihad, the nationalist faction seizes any opportunity to challenge this dominance and attempt to reshape Afghanistan’s national narrative. Figures like Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani are recent examples of leaders who tried to push this nationalist agenda. However, the religious faction, significantly supported by Saudi money over the decades, remains the more dominant force. This dominance persists because U.S. dollars have largely failed to influence the broader Afghan population, being funneled instead toward the elite, who rarely have the people's interests at heart. The elite and the masses, as is often the case, have conflicting interests.

Throughout the 20th century, Afghanistan has been a battleground for the world's superpowers. Yet, due to its unique geography, economic structure, and social fabric, the country has always resisted foreign invaders. In times of war, the Afghan people have little to lose, while the invading forces stand to gain almost nothing. This imbalance has made Afghanistan an exceptionally challenging adversary.

Given these realities, Afghanistan has always been a difficult partner in any relationship. For Pakistan, navigating its relationship with Afghanistan requires careful, deliberate steps.