ASIA CUP 2025
Ahmad Farhad Fidai will be commentating at the Asia Cup © Cricbuzz
The upcoming Asia Cup, starting September 9 in Abu Dhabi, will see a first of sorts – the presence of an Afghan in the commentary box. Ahmad Farhad Fidai, a medical graduate from Kabul University, is not exactly new to calling a match live, but this will be the first time an Afghan will be seen, rather heard, in a major multilateral tournament.
“It will be an honour,” says Farhad (42), who now lives in the US. “I have done commentary for Afghanistan in bilateral matches, but this will be my first time in a major championship like the Asia Cup. I am excited to share the mic with legends like Sunil Gavaskar. I’ve met him once, but never had the chance to share the commentary box.”
Farhad is not exactly a trailblazer from Afghanistan. Hamid Hasan, the current bowling coach of the national side, and Norman Mirza have both taken up commentary duties before him. However, Farhad has been a near-regular voice in Afghanistan’s bilateral contests over the past four years.
His name was recommended by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which, in turn, forwarded it to Sony, the producer and broadcaster of the September 9-28 continental championship. Afghanistan, in fact, will kick off the Asia Cup with a clash against Hong Kong at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on September 9.
Until now, Afghanistan had been represented by non-locals – mostly Pakistanis – on the commentary panels during global matches. Farhad believes foreign commentators cannot fully capture the team’s essence. “Overseas experts can’t do full justice; they simply can’t connect with the emotions,” says Farhad, who is currently commentating in the ongoing tri-series in Sharjah.
He elaborates on the point. “Cricket is an emotion in Afghanistan, and only Afghans can appropriately convey those feelings. For Afghans, cricket is more than just a sport – it is their only source of happiness. In a strife-torn country, the game brings hope… ‘Khushi Deti Hai’ (gives happiness). The nation is seriously, deeply and emotionally invested, drawing inspiration from heroes like Rashid (Khan), (Mohammad) Nabi, (Rahmanullah) Gurbaz and Noor (Ahmad).”
The craze for cricket and cricketers in Afghanistan is scarce seen elsewhere. Recently during the presentation in the local Shpageeza league in Kabul, a fan breached the PMOA area just to meet Rashid Khan. When stopped by a security guard, the fan reportedly said, ‘You may kill me, but you cannot stop me from hugging Rashid.’ Farhad, who was conducting the presentation on that occasion, recalls the episode.
“You have to visit Afghanistan to truly witness the passion and love the country has for cricket. We are confident that international cricket will come soon. The ACB leadership believes it can happen within the next couple of years. The infrastructure is sound. The Kabul ground may be a little small, but in the Khost, Jalalabad, and Kandahar provinces, the infrastructure is robust.”
So what is it that only he knows about Afghanistan cricket that the rest of the world doesn’t? “The team under Rashid is close-knit. They don’t just play for the country, they play for one another too,” he reflects with delight. “Take Noor Ahmad, for instance – one of the best bowlers in the world. He hasn’t been part of the XI for the last two games (of the tri-series), but there are no hard feelings within the side. Outsiders may wonder why Noor isn’t playing, but the players have built a wall around themselves. The outside noise simply can’t pierce through.”
He goes on… “Look at the captain. His brother passed away just a week ago, yet he has not gone home to perform Fateha. That is the level of commitment this team has – to the country and to one another. Rashid has set everything aside to play for Afghanistan. He has not treated the tri-series lightly. That is an unwavering commitment.
“The same can be also said about Mohammed Nabi, the senior statesman. Afghanistan has risen through the ranks from Division 5 of ICC pathways, and along the way they have beaten over 40 teams, including all the Test-playing nations except one. Nabi has been part of every one of those wins.” The only major side they have never beaten is India – they tied a game once, incidentally in the Asia Cup (in 2018).
Farhad is gung-ho about Afghanistan’s chances in the Asia Cup. “I am confident they will reach the Super Four stage. And after that… who knows. It would be a fitting gift to a nation reeling from a devastating earthquake.” He then signs off with a note of hope: “This team can bring smiles back to the faces of the catastrophe-hit Afghans.”
© Cricbuzz
