Proud Afghans ask for chance to shine again

Afghanistan bowed out of their first major cricket tournament on Wednesday, then urged the game's top nations to give them a chance to gain greater experience and exposure.

The team from the war-torn nation, which includes players who learned the game in dusty refugee camps near the Pakistan border, lost their second Twenty20 World Cup game against South Africa on Wednesday, ending their involvement in the Caribbean.

The results, following an earlier loss to India, were no surprise but their Pakistani coach, Kabir Khan, was bubbling with pride about the way his team had competed.

On Wednesday, Afghanistan's bowlers, including the impressive Hamid Hassan restricted South Africa to 139-7 but then, against the pace of Dale Steyn, slumped to 32 for eight in reply, before recovering to be bowled out in the 16th over for 80.

"Against India there was all sorts of pressure on them, there was television, there were the big stars, there was the crowd and they coped with it very well," Khan said.

"To restrict a batting line-up like South Africa to 139 is a big achievement so there are all sorts of pluses for them."

A particular plus was Hassan, who took three wickets and then hit two big sixes in a promising innings of 22.

【1】 【2】