Afghanistan excited about World Cup debut

7:14 pm on 18 February 2015

Afghanistan's meteoric rise in world cricket continues as they take on Bangladesh in their first-ever World Cup game.

It comes almost 15 years after the Taliban lifted a ban on the game, and for many of the players, is another step in the fairytale journey that started in Pakistan refugee camps.

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They are led by the coach Andy Moles, whose unsuccessful spell in charge of the Black Caps ended after less than a year in 2009.

Moles admits he was slightly concerned with how excited his players were ahead of the game.

Afghanistan cricket team

Afghanistan cricket team Photo: Photosport

It's arguably Afghan cricket's biggest occasion since the Taliban lifted a ban on the game in 2000, and counts as another step in the fairytale journey that started for many of the players in Pakistan refugee camps.

One of four non-Test playing nations at the World Cup, Afghanistan are well-placed to bring down Bangladesh, two days after Ireland rocked the cricket establishment by toppling the West Indies in Nelson.

The Afghans have already beaten Bangladesh by 32 runs in their only one-day international match-up at the Asia Cup last year.

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