In a heartfelt message to the Afghanistan cricket team, India skipper Virat Kohli praised their efforts for the recently concluded Shpageeza T20 cricket league.
In a video posted on the Afghan Cricket Board’s (ACB) official Twitter, Kohli praised the team for their exemplary efforts in the last few years which has seen Afghanistan rapidly rise in the world of international cricket.
The star Indian batsman recognized the courage shown by everyone involved with Afghanistan cricket to successfully conclude the Shpageeza T20 league despite a suicide bomb attack near the stadium during the tournament.
The local Afghan T20 competition saw massive crowds and interest in its fifth edition. However, on September 13, during a match between the Boost Defenders and the Mis-E-Ainak Knights in Kabul, a suicide bomb was detonated outside the stadium.
Despite this, the tournament went on with popularity and interest not subsiding among the fans.
Many thanks to Indian captain @imVkohli for his positive outlook on Afghan cricket pic.twitter.com/M6Z5H6eb2r
— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 12, 2017
“I want to congratulate you on your T20 tournament and also wish you all the very best for the future and for the journey you’ve had in cricket so far. It’s been amazing to watch and I’ve been always following, to see what you guys have been doing,” Kohli said to start his message.
“I haven’t been to Afghanistan but I have heard a lot about it, your vision is very strong and I can see the passion, especially when I see the cricketers play,” he added.
“What I have learnt in my small journey so far is that self belief and hard work will get you success for sure in whatever you do in life. There will always be some distractions but if you remain true to yourself, then success will come to you for sure. So whatever you do, do with full passion and work really hard towards it. That’s all I wanted to say and send across this message.”
Also, I want to say that create your own ideas, create your own identity. You always learn from people but never blindly follow anyone. You must always have your own character and have enough belief in that character.”
The team has arrived in Hong Kong for the 4-day Intercontinental Cup match pic.twitter.com/WUyDGEqRfz
— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 14, 2017
Afghanistan along with Ireland became the latest entrants in the Test cricket club after they were awarded full ICC member status in July this year.
The team has currently arrived in Hong Kong for the four-day intercontinental Cup.
Kohli and his mean meanwhile are fresh on the back of a 4-1 ODI victory over Australia and will now turn their attention to the visit of New Zealand with the first ODI starting on October 22.
