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Pakistan and Afghanistan Look to Coordinate on Counterterrorism Wall Street Journal (subscription) Kabul and Islamabad have agreed to work on a mechanism to jointly combat insurgents along their shared border, cooperating more closely than they have in years as the U.S. prepares to ramp up its troop numbers in Afghanistan, according to Pakistani and ...

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Pakistan and Afghanistan Look to Coordinate on Counterterrorism - Wall Street Journal (subscription)

After noteworthy debuts of Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi in the recently-concluded season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Afghanistan showed itself as a serious team with players of high potential. Their recent performances speak for themselves and reveal that the gap between them and the existing top ten teams isnt as colossal as it used to be. The cricket there is on the rise, and they have another star to thank for a noteworthy achievement by a batsman and create a new buzz.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Shafiqullah Shafaq has played 35 T20Is and 20 ODIs for Afghanistan. Reuters

Shafiqullah Shafaq, a wicketkeeper-batsman, butchered the opposition attack in a domestic T20 match to score 214 runs of just 71 balls, according to a report on NDTV Sports. The noteworthy innings took place in the Paragon Nangarhar Champions Trophy, a local tournament, with 27-year-old Shafaq recording a mind-boggling strike rate of 304, having smashed 21 sixes and 16 boundaries.

His heroic achievements, with teammate Waheedullah Shafaq helping him out with a 31-ball 81, enabled his team Khateez Cricket Academy to post a mammoth total of 351 in 20 overs against Kabul Start Cricket Club. They went on to script a comfortable win, defeating the opposition by 244 runs.

Shafaq has made a total of 35 T20I and 20 ODIappearances for his national side, making his T20I debut for Afghanistan against Ireland in 2010. A regular member of the team, he was part ofAfghanistan's campaigns in the last three editions of the ICC WorldT20 (2012, 2014, 2016).

Be it a brilliant bowling effort or miraculous batting one, Afghanistan cricket is making the right strides in capturing the imagination of the world cricket, and maybe, just maybe, these are the sign of changing times.

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Afghanistan's Shafiqullah Shafaq cracks 71-ball double-century in domestic T20 game - Firstpost

Not too long ago, a man from Pakistan moved to South Africa only to be with the woman he loved, and there was no stopping him. Until recently, he was at the pinnacle of rankings for bowlers in ICC Rankings for ODIs and T20Is.

Imran Tahirs story is inspirational for those young men who dared to dream big, and Izatullah Dawlatzai is the latest addition in what could be a very exclusive list of cricketers who move to other countries just to be with their betrothed.

Growing up, Dawlatzai was never one of those who were following his national teams progress and dreaming to represent it one day. However, playing tape-ball cricket alongside the likes of the lanky Shapoor Zadran and Dawlat Ahmadzai, a suggestion made by his fellow cricketers to gun for the Afghanistan Under-15 side did not look a bad option for Dawlatzai, reports the official website of Lords.

I said, why not?. They selected me for the under 15 team and my journey began from there, Dawlatzai shared.

READ |Afghanistan to make Lords debut vs MCC XI, featuring Misbah-ul-Haq, Yasir Shah

From tape ball cricket to representing Afghanistan in Under-15 stages and then at the international circuit, the 26-year-old Dawlatzai has perhaps seen it all.

Having relocated from Afghanistan to Germany, the right-arm fast medium bowler is now aiming to play international cricket once again, but for the European country.

I had some family problems. My fiance was living here (Germany). When two people are in a relationship the distance is a problem when you are living too far from each other. She was born here (Germany), but she is Afghan. We couldnt meet a lot so I decided to move here. I was in England for two months. My brother lives there, he told me to stay but I wanted to go back to Germany, he said.

Recently, Dawlatzai played for the touring Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) team in Germany, a country that is witnessing a strong influx of refugees from Afghanistan.

READ | Afghanistan cricket team set for huge honour in Lords debut against MCC

Dawlatzai helped Afghanistan qualify for their maiden appearance in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, and played his last game for the native land shortly before the start of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

I think the best moment for me was when we qualified for the 2015 World Cup, which was in Australia and New Zealand. It was so amazing when we qualified. We were in Dubai, we had a match against Kenya when we won that we qualified directly. We were so emotional. I think that was the best thing that ever happened to us, Dawlatzai expressed.

There are so many stories because I have seen everything the entire journey of Afghanistan cricket. Everything changed so quickly.

But one moment that Dawlatzai cannot forget is when he got to play for Afghanistan for the very first time. He said, It was very special for me. When you are representing your country it is a proud moment for anyone. I enjoyed it a lot it was so amazing.

Cricket growing in Germany

People in Afghanistan are crazy about cricket especially when they see our players they just love them. I got so much respect in Afghanistan, people loved us. People in Afghanistan are crazy about cricket especially when they see our players they just love them. I had everything, people loved me so much. Cricket has given me so much. Playing cricket for Afghanistan, (has given me) so many things I dont even deserve. But when you are playing good cricket, people love you, Dawlatzai recalled.

Having settled down in Hamburg with his lady love, Dawlatzai is aiming to play international cricket once again in about two years time.

I cant find regular cricket here (Germany). Its so difficult for me to maintain my fitness and stay in touch with cricket. I think that is the only problem I am facing here, not only me but everyone is facing here. We play once or twice a week and its not enough for a professional player. If you are aiming to play good cricket its not enough, he said.

READ | IPL 2017 auction: Afghanistan players Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan make history

I will qualify (to play for the national side) in two years so until then I have to play domestic cricket its the only way to stay in touch with cricket, Dawlatzai added.

For a cricketer who has already tasted success at the international stage, playing cricket in Germany has been a vastly different experience. To begin with, not as many people know you in such parts of the world.

I think a lot of guys know me right now because (at first) they didnt know I was here. Since German Cricket TV uploaded my video everybody (has been) surprised. (They are) like what is he doing here?! When they see me they are so happy and excited, he shared.

Dawlatzai, meanwhile, is also proud of the fact that Afghanistan have been able to develop a strong cricket infrastructure.

READ | Afghan sensation Rashid Khan continues surge after record haul vs West Indies

Cricket in Germany is getting better day by day. I have seen so many players here that are so talented. But you cant compare it to Afghanistan right now. Afghanistan is doing so well. Domestically their cricket board is so good, doing everything very well (and the) national team, are playing brilliantly right now, he explained.

With many Afghan refugees playing cricket in Germany, Dawlatzai feels cricket administrators must look after them.

I have seen that excitement with Afghanistan and I hope it come true with the national team of Germany also. I have seen the (German) national team; many of them came a few years ago. They were refugees and they are playing in the national team right now. A lot of talent came here (to) Germany, I think up to 300,000 refugees especially from Afghanistan. They moved here and if (Germany looks) after them they will get a lot of talent, he said.

A lot of clubs are here. In Germany I think they have 120 something. If (German cricket) look after the clubs they will find good cricketers that can play for Germany. I hope that cricket in Germany increases a lot and they (get) to the stage that many professional teams play. It will me amazing for me because I have seen that excitement with Afghanistan and I hope it come true with the national team of Germany also, he concluded.

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From Afghanistan to Germany, Izatullah Dawlatzai's cricket journey gets new life - Hindustan Times

ISLAMABAD: Arshad Khan the famous, blue-eyed chaiwala, who dominated the social media horizon last year is an Afghan national and not native to Pakistan.

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) sources told Geo News that Arshad Khan did not possessvalid legal documents to cover his stay in Pakistan.

In an attempt to get Arshad Khan's version, Geo.tv reached out to his team and were directed tohissocial media pagewith theclaim that NADRA wasmisreporting the facts.

Rightly so, Arshad's Facebook page did have pictures of him receiving his Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) at the NADRA Headquarters in Islamabad.

Upon first inspection, it appeared that NADRA had in fact made a mistake. Here was Ashraf Khan receiving his CNIC from a NADRAofficial at the NADRA HQ on June 15, almost a month ago.

Could NADRA have made a mistake and incorrectly tarnished the image of Pakistan's blue-eyed boy?

Unfortunately for Arshad Khan's fangirls, NADRA has not erred, at least that is what they claim.

After the discrepancy was noticed, Geo News' investigation team in Islamabad got to work. What it found out will break hearts across Pakistan and the world.

After Arshad was discovered courtesy of Jiah Alis photograph of him during a photo-walk scores of modelling and film offers piled up for the chaiwala.

As per NADRA, after becoming a celebrity, Arshad applied for a Pakistani CNIC using fraudulent documents, which he received in June this year.He went a step further and applied for a Pakistani passport as well.

It was during scrutiny of Arshad's documents at the passport office that red flags began to show. The passport office staff put his passport on hold. However, using his celebrity status, Arshad managed to put pressure and had his passport issued nonetheless.

What the chaiwala didn't know was that he had caught the attention of NADRA's investigation unit.

Sources told Geo News that Arshad and his family hail from Kandahar in Afghanistan and, in order to acquire Pakistani documents, portrayed themselves as members of the Moosakhel clan.

According to NADRA sources, Arshad Khan portrayed himself to be the only child born from Baaz Khan's only marriage toSaran Bibi.

To get the full picture, Geo.tv reached out Arshad Khan, who denied being an Afghan national and claimed his father was born in Sargodha and that his family hailed from Mardan.

Speaking exclusively to Geo.tv, Arshad claimed his father migrated to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1984 and worked there for 13 years before returning to Pakistan.

He maintained that he resides on the outskirts of Islamabad along with his family and was very much a Pakistani national.

Interestingly, after repeated requests to furnish any proof of his claims, Arshad did not provide any documents to corroborate his story.

Moments after Geo.tv first reached out to Arshad's camp, the pictures of him receiving his CNIC at the NADRA headquarters in Islamabad were deleted from his Facebook page.

Arshad Khan's manager, Malik Faheem, claimed that he found the NADRA claim shocking. He made it clear that he did not know Arshad prior to the chaiwala becoming a celebrity.

Malik further noted that before he entered into a relationship as Arshad's manager, he had sought his identification documents and that he had furnished his father's identity card.

Geo.tv repeatedly asked Ashraf's manager to furnish copies of the documents he claimed to have seen; however, they were not shared till the filing of this report.

Arshad Khan is the son of Baaz Khan and Saran Bibi, both Afghan refugees holding Afghan Refugee cards according to NADRA.

Saran Bibi is Baaz Khan's second wife, according to NADRA.

During a photo-walkin 2016, Jiah Ali captured a photograph of the Chaiwala which had female admirers swooning in Pakistan and soon across the world.

After catapulting from the Chai stall to appearing on TV shows and being featuredin news reports globally, Arshad even tried his hand at modelling and starred in Muskan Jays song "Beparwai"; the song, however, led to some distress for Khan back home.

Before I was living a poor life, I was working as a labourer. I faced poverty. I spent my whole life in poverty. Now with the grace of Allah, I am honoured and have an opportunity to move forward, Arshad had said earlier.

It appears the man who once had the world swooning, is in the eyes of the law a criminal.

Meanwhile, Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, confirmed on Twitter that Arshad Khan was indeed an Afghan national.

Asif Bashir Chaudhry is a Senior Correspondent with Geo News in Islamabad;Ovais Jafar is a Multimedia Journalist currently serving as Editor Geo.tv (English).

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'Chaiwala' Arshad Khan belongs to Afghanistan, says NADRA - Geo News, Pakistan

Not one of us would say that we are on a course to success in Afghanistan, U.S. senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican, told a room full of journalists, U.S. soldiers and diplomatic staff in Kabul on July 4, 2017.

McCain was accompanied by Senators Lindsey Graham, Sheldon Whitehouse, Elizabeth Warren and David Perdue. Together they visited Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates to assess Americas longest-ever war.

Their conclusions were not optimistic.

With the Taliban, Islamic State, the Haqqani network and other insurgents fast gaining ground, the delegation was unanimous on the need to bolster American forces. Pres. Donald Trump appears likely boost the 8,600-strong U.S. contingent in Afghanistan by as many as 5,000 additional troops in coming months.

The one thing I will tell [Trump] about this visit is that you need to pull all of our troops out because 8,600 will not get the job done or add to their numbers, Graham said, adding that he would also suggest a significant increase in U.S. air power in Afghanistan.

The senatorial delegation did not, however, agree on the long-term U.S. approach to the Afghanistan war. It will probably be a low burning, simmering crisis for many years to come, McCain said.

A Vietnam War veteran and ex-prisoner of war, a visibly frustrated McCain came out strongly against former president Barack Obama for even suggesting a deadline for pulling U.S. troops out of Afghanistan.

I think one of the greatest failures has been when the president of Unites States announced a surge and put a date out for a withdrawal, McCain said. If I were the leader of the Taliban Id say, just hang on. That was one of the least sane actions that I have ever observed. General Eisenhower did not announce the date that Berlin would fall.

Warren, a strong critic of Trump and his administration, insisted that Americans patience for the war would depend on U.S. strategy in the region. We need a strategy in the U.S. that defines our role in Afghanistan, defines our objective and explains how we are going to get from here to there, Warren said.

Despite their varied stance on U.S. policy in the region, all the senator agreed that the absence of a diplomatic surge to accompany a boost in troops has been unnerving.

The Trump administration has failed to fill the diplomatic vacuum it created when it shut down the Office of the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan in early 2017. Likewise, Trump has failed to appoint new U.S. ambassadors to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Youre not going to win this war just by more bombing, Graham said. Youre going to win this war by a whole-government approach. Graham said he would urge Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to visit Afghanistan quickly.

The bipartisan delegation entertained no illusions with regard to Trumps erratic diplomacy. Can any of us here guarantee what the presidents going to do? McCain asked. No. But I can tell you that he has got the best minds to tell him what he should do.

The U.S. Defense Department has been playing a role in pushing back at the hollowing role of the State Department since the early months of the administration, Whitehouse observed. I hope that a strong bipartisan message from this delegation will get across that positions need to be filled with experienced, capable people who need to be empowered to make decisions to drive to success.

The delegates also expressed their disapproval of Pakistans own lack of initiative in Afghanistan. McCain shared that in a very candid conversation with leaders in Pakistan, they made it clear that the Haqqani having a safe zone in their country was not acceptable.

We made it very clear that we expect them to help us in cooperating in our struggle, particularly against Haqqani as well as other terrorist organizations.

Graham emphasized the need for a new U.S. approach to Pakistan. I think the president understands that we cannot win the war through kinetic activity towards Pakistan, Graham said. If they dont change their behavior, then maybe we should change our behavior towards them as a nation.

The senators described what winning should look like in Afghanistan. McCain described it as a scenario where government could secure most parts of Afghanistan and call a permanent ceasefire with the Taliban.

Whitehouse, by contrast, pushed a more romantic definition of victoryturning Afghanistan into a tourist destination. Winning to me would mean that children and grandchildren of the Americans who died here in Afghanistan have the chance to come and visit Afghanistan as tourists, just the way they could in Normandy.

Read more from the original source:
In Afghanistan, US Senators Mull Troop Boost, Aerial Bombing and Peace - War Is Boring