KABUL: The Taliban on Wednesday appointed former all-rounder Mirwais Ashraf as acting chairman of the Afghanistan Cricket Board to replace Azizullah Fazli, who was in charge for just two months.

       Afghanistan media reported the decision was taken after demands by national players while meeting Taliban officials in Abu Dhabi during the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup.

       “The prime minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has appointed Mirwais Ashraf as acting chairman of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB),” said a Taliban statement.

       Ashraf played 46 ODIs and 25 T20 Internationals, his last in 2016.

       Afghanistan bowed out of the T20 World Cup Super 12 stage after winning only two of their five Group 2 matches, losing to Pakistan, India and New Zealand.

       The country has faced political and cricketing upheavals since the Taliban took over following the withdrawal of US and Nato troops in late August this year.

       Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2021