Cricket commentator Devender Kumar escapes bomb blast in Afghanistan but wows to return for more commentary

By K.R. Nayar

Devender Kumar was my co-commentator when I made my debut as a Test commentator in Abu Dhabi during the 2021 Afghanistan-Zimbabwe series. He was the one who guided me on the norms to be followed while commentating when I held the mike on the first day of the Test. Since I was only a cricket writer until then, his tips were of immense help to me to get started. In the following days, I experienced his deep passion, commitment and enthusiasm for the game. Despite hailing from a small village in Jodhpur in India, he knew every detail of all Afghanistan players. It seemed to me that I was seated next to someone representing the Afghanistan team. I wasn't surprised when I heard he had escaped a bomb blast in Afghanistan on July 29, 2022, and attributed his never-dying love for the game that must have helped him survive.

Devender Kumar commentating for RTA Sports - Afghanistan's national sports broadcaster

Devender revealed how it all happened on that eventful day. He was interviewing Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy at the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan, at the Kabul International Stadium during the innings break: “It was during the Sphageeza League match between Band-e-Amir Dragons and Pamir Zalmi. At first it felt like the ground below me was shaking, and that was followed by a deafening blast sound. What I saw next was the spectators running helter-skelter and security personnel rushing towards the stands. Later on I heard that 13 civilians were injured and two had died. The blast happened just 10 yards away from me.”

Afghanistan Cricket Board officials felicitate Devender Kumar after the tournament final 

Thirty-six-year-old Devender was commentating for RTA sports- Afghanistan's national sports broadcaster. This tournament was held from July 18, 2022 to August 5, 2022. What is commendable is that the blast did not stop Devender from completing his assignment, and he also revealed that he would return to Afghanistan for the next commentary session. He also mentioned that the people in Afghanistan were as cricket crazy as him.

Devender also went on to describe the enthusiasm among the cricket fans in Afghanistan and how the sport has flourished amidst the numerous challenges. “Shpageeza Cricket League is a T20 domestic annual championship. It is Afghanistan's most important league and into its eighth edition. The Kabul International Stadium has a capacity of around 7000 and around 5000 turn up for most days. People come from around 500kms away to watch their heroes and even a club level game attracts thousands. All their national players, including Mohammad Nabi, play in this tournament.”

Large  turn out of Afghanistan cricket fans for domestic cricket tournaments 

Having read my blog on Mohammad Nabi and his son Hassan Eisakhil playing in the Sharjah’s CBFS tournament together, he said: “Hassan Eisakhil too played in this tournament, but here he played against his father’s team.”

Afghanistan Cricket Board officials and presenters 

Afghanistan fans value their domestic tournaments a lot and hence they turn up in large numbers to watch these matches. “Eight top teams like the Kabul Eagles, Speenghar Tigers, Mis-eniak Knights, Amo Sharks, Hindkush Stars, Band-e-Amir Dragons, Pamir Zalmi and Bost Defenders play in the Shpageeza Cricket League. Speenghar Tigers beat Bost Defenders in a thrilling final by five runs to emerge victorious for their third title,” he said, while speaking about the tournament which continued even after the blast.

Devender Kumar with fellow commentators 

“Five Pakistan national players, including Mir Hamza and Asif Afridi, played in this tournament; but they left the tournament after the blast. Nobody took responsibility for the blast,” said Devender, who also revealed that the game resumed within half an hour with the second innings curtailed to 10 overs and continued as usual with commentary and the post-match ceremony.

Devender Kumar with Afghanistan fast bowler Momand Farhad 

Devender also rejected reports that had once said that the ruling Taliban was against cricket. “They love cricket. After the blast, the Taliban commander even tweeted thanking me for my decision not to return to India after the blast,” revealed Devender, but also admitted that his family members were worried about him after the incident.

Tweet from the Taliban Commander 

“Since my father is an army-man, he was very supportive. But the other members of my family were scared. But commentary is my job and I wanted to ensure that I don’t back out of my professional commitment." Devender is part of the English commentary team that includes Hamid Hassan and Najibullah Salarzai. Fazal Rahimi, Sharafuddin Shakir,Badam Ahmadzai, Farid Hotak, Wakeel Asharati and Milat Afghan are the commentators in Pashto.

Devender Kumar with Speenghar Tigers support staff 

Devender fell in love with commentary after listening to Tony Greig and Geoffrey Boycott. Though he has schooled in a village in Jodhpur where there were hardly any English teachers, he learned the language on his own and now speaks fluently. I was witness to this during the Afghanistan-Zimbabwe Test match in Abu Dhabi.  

Talking about the cricket tournaments in Afghanistan, he said, “It’s always been day matches there. They start at 9 am and 1:45 pm.” But what touches him most is their hospitality.  “I am a vegetarian, and they take care to provide me with vegetarian food. No one can beat them when it comes to hospitality.  The Afghans are actually welcoming and caring people. I have been commentating in Afghanistan since 2017 although this tournament began in 2013,’ he added.

“Cricket in Afghanistan is very big. In fact, it’s massive. You have to see it to experience it. Their connection is real. You feel like experiencing their affection again and again. It’s irresistible. I look forward to going there and enjoy every moment,” says Devender, who believes that nothing can stop him from the call of cricket.