England boys gain new awareness

The Under-19 World Cup can be about awareness as much as cricket, and the royal blue shirted Afghans have given the England players a close-up insight into another world.

England subdued lively opponents in their Group A match on Monday with efficiency and flair, and after the match they assembled at a British High Commission reception for the two teams at the city centre Holiday Inn hotel.

The Afghan captain Noor Ul Haq Malekzai spoke from the heart in a moving speech, urging everyone not to associate his country solely with war and fighting. Cricket was a passion that could unite them as a nation, though it was a difficult time even to practice, let alone play. Malekzai was not the only player from Kabul who would be confined to his family home for days on end for fear of terrorist street bombs.

What was not mentioned was that, unlike the players, the Afghanistan manager Sayed Shah Aminzai had to go to work every day as an administrator at the national association. The journey to the Kabul offices is only short, but every time he leaves home he wonders whether he will see his wife and daughters again. If English county executives ever imagine they are under stress, they should think of Kabul...

Mark Robinson, the England coach, said the reception was a humbling experience for players and management. "Their captain spoke from the heart and spoke very well," he said. "We know from recent events there had been more explosions overnight in Afghanistan. The players said they were feeling for their families who were close to where the trouble was. It makes you hope the players do appreciate how lucky they are to be here representing their country."

"With the Afghan under-19 team being here, there is more awareness about them. From an ICC and ECB point of view it is outside my brief to know what we can do, but the world of cricket would like to help them anyway we can, I'm sure. There's such a passion shown by them for cricket."

In the autumn the England squad toured Bangladesh, still one of the world's most impoverished nations, and they donated about £500 from their own 'fines' kitty to an orphanage at the end of the visit. It is not hard to imagine their feelings during the Afghan reception.

Aminzai said: "Cricket is the one sport recognised by all governments in Afghanistan, including the Taliban." He wished that a tiny proportion of the billions of dollars spent by the British and Americans on war could be directed into cricket, such an important sport. But in fact money was not the main problem. "After this world cup," he said, "the players go home and then there is nothing. No matches, no one to play against until the next world cup. It is difficult to find anyone to play us. We need touring experience."

One obstacle is obtaining visas, and special measures have had to be taken for the New Zealand event. After the qualifying tournament in Toronto last September, five Afghans and their coach went missing, presumably to seek asylum in Canada -- along with seven Ugandans. So this time the ICC have taken possession of the passports of all the visiting countries, including England. This even-handed approach barely disguises the real targets.

Today the West Indies, potential quarter-final opponents for England, took themselves to the brink of qualification in the tough Group D with a thumping five-wicket victory over the fall-guys Papua New Guinea. Wednesday's game between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be the decider.

Paul Stirling, the Middlesex batsman, scored 114 in 102 balls to ensure Ireland put away the United States by five wickets in their final Group B game in Queenstown. After their humiliating 65 all out against Australia, when Nick Buchanan -- son of the former Middlesex and Australia coach John -- took four wickets, they could not afford further embarrassment. Australia and South Africa have already qualified.

Final placings have still to be decided, and England do not meet India at Lincoln University until Thursday, the sole match that day.

Quarter-final qualifiers:
Group A: England, India.
Group B: Australia, South Africa.
Group C: New Zealand, Sri Lanka.
Group D: Two from West Indies, Pakistan, Bangladesh.