Revisiting Maxwell’s iconic double century
One of the most unforgettable matches of the 2023 ODI World Cup was Afghanistan’s clash with Australia in Mumbai, when Glenn Maxwell single-handedly turned the game with an unbeaten 201 despite battling severe cramps. Afghanistan had reduced Australia to 91 for 7 while defending 292, only for Maxwell to produce what many consider the greatest one-day innings ever played.
Reflecting on that night, Taliban leader Anas Haqqani, son of Haqqani network founder Jalaluddin Haqqani, offered a provocative perspective while speaking on Indian journalist Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast:
“About Maxwell, it’s a good thing that he was very far from us that night. He wouldn’t have hit 200 in Kabul. It was a tragedy even from cricket’s point of view. Then next year in T20 World Cup, we defeated them,” Haqqani said.
Afghanistan avenged that heartbreak less than a year later in the 2024 T20 World Cup, bowling Australia out for 127 in St Vincent to secure their first-ever victory over the five-time world champions.
Thoughts on Kohli and Rohit’s Test retirements
Haqqani also weighed in on India’s cricketing landscape, particularly the twin retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket in May 2025.
“Rohit’s retirement from Tests was justified. I don’t know the cause behind Kohli’s retirement. Very few people across the world are that unique. My wish is that he tries to play till he is 50,” he said.
Haqqani went further, hinting at possible reasons behind Kohli’s decision.
“Maybe he was frustrated by the media in India. He still had time. You can see Joe Root chasing Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of Test runs,” he added.
Kohli ended his Test career with 9,230 runs, just 770 shy of the 10,000-run milestone, while Rohit bowed out earlier the same month. Their exits have opened the door for Shubman Gill, who was appointed captain and led India to a 2-2 draw in England.
Afghanistan’s ambition to host cricket
For decades, Afghanistan’s national team has been forced to play its “home” matches abroad due to security concerns. But Haqqani insisted that the Taliban government is committed to changing that.
“Afghanistan is ready to host cricket. There is no problem. We will provide the necessary security. Only the matter of the stadium is a bit of a roadblock. But from our side, we want to build one or two new stadiums to host international matches so that players from all countries can come here, that’s our wish,” he said.
Afghanistan, now a full ICC member and a Test nation, has built a strong reputation on the field over the last decade. With rising stars and consistent performances at World Cups, Haqqani’s promise reflects the country’s push to translate sporting credibility into hosting rights.
A cricket voice from unexpected quarters
Haqqani’s frequent comments on cricket highlight the sport’s cultural importance in Afghanistan, where it has become a symbol of pride and identity. From revisiting painful defeats to celebrating landmark victories and weighing in on India’s biggest names, his remarks ensure that Afghanistan’s cricketing journey remains firmly in the international spotlight.
