"Welcome to the most extreme golf in the world," says the European Union ambassador to Afghanistan, as half-a-dozen heavily armed bodyguards fan out around him and scan the Kabul Golf Club course.

Cricket has not caught on to any major extent in Afghanistan even 11 years after the Taliban was pushed out of Kabul in 2001. The sports-shy Afghans are still too battle-scarred to laugh their angst away on the pitch.

Ireland and Afghanistan served up a blistering classic in the final of the World Twenty20 Qualifier in Dubai, putting to rest any fears that the game would be an anti-climax after both teams had already sealed their spot in the World Twenty20 to be held later this year.

This cricket scorecard read more like a telephone number written vertically. A Chinese U-16 team was bowled out for all of 9 runs against Afghanistan, losing the match by 349 runs.

He is the rugged face of Afghan cricket with a story fit for the big screen, and he embodies not only his nation's turbulent past, but its hopes for a brighter future.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq Saturday praised the Afghan team's fighting spirit despite their loss in a one-day international to his side, saying they could give other teams a tough time.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq wants fast-improving teams like Afghanistan to play more international matches against Test-playing nations to be better able to gauge their progress.

Besides going after a medal in the boxing ring at the London Olympics, Sadaf Rahimi will be taking a few punches in the fight for equal rights for Afghan women.

Dreams rarely come to fruition at such breathless speeds. After winning their way through five divisions in two years, gaining a berth in the World Twenty20, and dominating better established Associates and Affiliates in the four-day format, Afghanistan have reached base camp - an ODI against a Test-playing nation.

Afghanistan's rise from war to wickets has delighted the International Cricket Council as it looks to far, far bigger markets -- mighty China and the United States.