KABUL: Afghans in Kabul celebrated with joy and pride on Monday after the country’s cricket team won the 2024 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup.

Afghanistan A beat Sri Lanka A at the finals in Muscat, Oman on Sunday evening, giving them their first-ever title in the tournament organized by the Asian Cricket Council, aimed at developing talented young cricketers in Asia.

People in Kabul and other Afghan cities were swift to mark the national team’s victory with celebratory fireworks, which was how Khalil Ahmed first learned about the win.

“It was a very happy moment after a long and tiring day. Cricket has given us continuous joy and happiness and the heroes made us proud in many stages. They came from nowhere but reached heights,” Ahmed, a vendor based in Kabul, told Arab News.

Cricket is considered the most popular sport in Afghanistan and has represented a rare bright spot for many Afghans as they struggle amid a devastating economic and humanitarian crisis sparked by sanctions slapped on the Taliban administration following their takeover in 2021.

In June, the main national team made history when it won a place for the first time in the semifinals of the Twenty20 World Cup.

Sunday’s winning Afghanistan A, the “second tier” of international Afghan cricket, stands just below the full national team.

“It’s a big victory. A win for the whole country. Our boys are making history. With very little facilities and support, our national team has made significant achievements,” said Sharifullah Khan, a 54-year-old taxi driver in Kabul.

“They make us proud and bring so much happiness to the nation. The people and country’s leaders need to encourage our heroes and support them as much as they can. The boys are trying hard but with little support,” he said. “If we have those facilities that other nations have, our heroes will win not only Asia but the whole world.”

Ahmad Zia, another cricket fan who resides in Afghanistan’s second-largest city of Kandahar, is hoping that the latest win will inspire the government to provide the team with more support.

“Our heroes are working very hard. The equipment they possess is little, but their morale is very high and their love for the country is immense. With their efforts and prayers and support from the nation, they continue to shine and make more victories,” he told Arab News.

“The officials need to provide more facilities and support to the team. With increased support, they will make even bigger victories.”