KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghanistan’s under-19 national cricket team returned home to a hero’s welcome on Monday after securing qualification for the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
The team, nicknamed the “Future Stars,” arrived at Kabul International Airport, where they were greeted by senior officials from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and jubilant fans celebrating their success.
Afghanistan booked their ticket to the World Cup after advancing undefeated through the Asia Qualifiers, with commanding wins over the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Oman earlier this month. Their final qualifying match against Nepal, scheduled for Saturday in Kathmandu, was washed out by rain, allowing Afghanistan to qualify based on points.
The 2026 ICC Under-19 World Cup is expected to showcase the top youth talent from around the world.
