Shukrullah Atif Mashal was introduced as the new chairman of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) at a ceremony on Saturday. 

A number of MPs and senior government officials attended the event.

Present at the gathering was Meshrano Jirga (Upper House of Parliament) speaker Fazl Hadi Muslimyar who said cricket is a tool that can strengthening unity among Afghans.

He urged the new ACB chairman to improve on merit-based appointments and staff selection within the organization.

“Cricket is a national sport. It has been highly effective when used to strengthen national unity [among Afghans]. Cricket has brought smiles and joy to Afghans through its international events. All the national cricketers are thinking about their success when they compete for Afghanistan,” Muslimyar stated. 

The Finance Minister Eklil Ahmad Hakimi meanwhile praised the former ACB chairman Nasimullah Danish for what he achieved and said cricket should be an inclusive game in Afghanistan and that the selection of players must be done on merit. 

“The executive board has the authority to introduce the best candidate to the President [Ashraf Ghani]. New strategies should be implemented to improve cricket in the country. We selected Mashal from three candidates,” Hakimi said.

Meanwhile, the new head of ACB said he is committed to working hard in order to make a stronger national team.

“As my top priority, I will continue to make a stronger national team which actually represents all ethnic groups in the country. I will also consult with senior cricketers in the selection process and will also bring transparency in financial issues of the board,” he vowed.