Shafiq Stanikzai was the chief executive of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) for half a decade until 2019, a period in which they played their first World Cup (2015) and upset West Indies, the eventual champions, at the World T20 (2016). They also played their first Test under his watch in Bengaluru (2018). Though he has moved on from administering cricket in his homeland, Stanikzai remains and passionate and invested onlooker. Here, he talks to RevSportz about this most incredible of sporting journeys, the players and others who made it possible, and what the future holds.
Ishaan Shahane: Afghanistan has been playing a fantastic brand of cricket, and being a spectator and supporter, how do you feel when you see the team performing?
Shafiq Stanikzai: It is an extremely proud moment for us, and if you look at Afghanistan cricket, the brand of cricket we play involves a lot of passion and aggression. However, balancing it all was a factor that was missing and so was that finishing touch. I can see the boys are getting there slowly, but progressively, which we can all see in this mega event.
Ishaan: When Virat Kohli made his India debut in 2008, Afghanistan were playing in World Cricket League Division 5. Now, they are competing against teams like Pakistan and England and beating them in the World Cup. This must be a feeling which cannot be put into words, right?
Stanikzai: We always knew we belonged on this stage. It is the same belief that has been a driving factor that has brought us this far. When we used to make statements earlier of belonging to the big stage, we were laughed at, but we believed deep down inside that we as a team do belong. And one day, there would be a time when our players will be competing against the world’s best.
Ishaan: A lot of credit has to go to senior players such as Mohammed Nabi and Hamid Hassan. Both of them were with the team since the beginning. Besides them, credit should go to everyone who has stuck with the team since day one. What do you feel?
Stanikzai: Honestly speaking, I have told all our youngsters such as Rashid [Khan] and Mujeeb [Ur Rahman] that they have a ready-made loaf and they just have to swallow it. The hard work we have done in the past went a long way, and all the sacrifices we have gone through have been worth it. You have mentioned only these two names, Nabi and Hassan, but there have been several others such as Asghar Afghan, and Nawroz Mangal – all these great names that we have are still part of the system in one way or another and have had tremendous contributions to this great game. Not to forget the administrators who have helped develop this game too, such as Taj Malik and even myself, who have been present since the inception period. Being part of this journey right from its inception is an amazing feeling.
Ishaan: How do you think Afghanistan can move ahead from here with two big wins under the belt and do you also believe this will only promote better cricket in the future even in terms of grassroots development?
Stanikzai: Yes, tremendously. I am always saying that the more the opportunities, the more the challenges. Right now, the pressure on the team has also increased as the expectations are sky high at the moment. On top of that, Afghanistan is a cricket-crazy nation and the cricket board is under pressure as well as they have to deliver and tick a few boxes that are missing right now. I can tell you though that the Afghanistan cricket team is a force to reckon with. When I was running the ACB, my strategic plan was that by 2020, Afghanistan should be among the top five cricketing nations in all three formats. So, there is pressure on the administration, and with the expectations of fans.
Ishaan: A lot of teams are very strong when they play at home. Afghanistan, however, have never played a home game. How do you think this affects the team, and not just in terms of the revenue for the board?
Stanikzai: Yes, tremendously, as Afghanistan is suffering. The reason why the administration plays a key role is because it helps in convincing the world governing bodies such as ICC, BCCI and ECB. Afghanistan is in a unique situation. Obtaining a simple UK visa for our players is costing us thousands of dollars. Forget about not playing in our home country. So financially, we are suffering a lot. The other point is that we don’t play big teams, and we have not hosted BCCI as of yet. If I were the administrator of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, I would not have let BCCI not provide us with an opportunity to host them. Ireland in the last three years has hosted them twice, and hosting the BCCI is a financial opportunity that can make the Afghanistan Cricket Board self-sufficient. The ECB is another such board. Cricket Australia also refused to play Afghanistan due to political reasons, so the fact of the matter is we have suffered drastically.
Ishaan: Do you think anything can be done in the near future to rectify this?
Stanikzai: Honestly speaking, I am not connected with Afghanistan cricket directly, but I do have discussions with the BCCI administration regarding support, and even with the ICC, so that is great.
Ishaan: We have noticed with teams like West Indies that top players are often reluctant to play international cricket. Afghan players are also much in demand in T20 leagues but also seem to take great pride in representing the national team. What do you think motivates them?
Stanikzai: Let me rephrase that question for you, to ‘what is the secret of Afghanistan’s success?’ You will not find it in any other team as much, and that is our unity. We play as a unit, for the pride and happiness of our nation. Not to forget though this is a challenge right now with Afghan players, that they are playing more league cricket which is also giving them more of an advantage. However, I have to tell the Afghanistan Cricket Board that they have to be careful and prepare our players mentally first, for our country before anything else.
Ishaan: You had a bit of a disagreement with Rashid Khan in the past. Is that sorted out now?
Stanikzai: My reputation as an administrator is that of a very strict one. If I had been the administrator, I would not have allowed Rashid Khan to play in so many leagues. He is a human and not a machine. Finishing an international T20 game against Bangladesh and then sitting in a chartered plane to fly somewhere else to play again is not acceptable at all. The consequences are there, and it was quite bad as he was playing with his back injury against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Sometimes, as an administrator, you have to get into their heads. Yes, it did disappoint me, but he holds a place in my heart and he is a brand of Afghan cricket. I am so happy that the system I was leading produced players such as Rashid and Mujeeb. So, all in all, it is okay. He is a young guy, and somebody must have provoked him, but I do not take it personally. There have been others who have spoken outrageously about me as well, but eventually, you bring people back and life goes on.
Ishaan: Your views on Afghanistan beating Pakistan?
Stanikzai: Defeating Pakistan was on the cards. Beating Pakistan on such a big stage made that victory 100 times better.