Proud Afghans ask for chance to shine again

BRIDGETOWN - Afghanistan bowed out of their first major cricket tournament on Wednesday, then urged the game's top nations to give them a chance to gain greater experience and exposure.

The team from the war-torn nation, which includes players who learned the game in dusty refugee camps near the Pakistan border, lost their second Twenty20 World Cup game against South Africa on Wednesday, ending their involvement in the Caribbean.

The results, following an earlier loss to India, were no surprise but their Pakistani coach, Kabir Khan, was bubbling with pride about the way his team had competed.