LONDON -- October is a big month for sports in Afghanistan. On Saturday, the national cricket team starts its third World Cup appearance against Bangladesh in the Indian city of Dharamshala and the following Thursday, the soccer side starts qualification for the 2026 World Cup against Mongolia. Neither squad is going to go all the way but there are still significant prizes within reach.
The cricketers hope to make an impact on the 10-nation tournament for the first time. In past appearances, in Australia and New Zealand in 2015 and England four years later, Afghanistan won just one of 15 games. India should be a friendlier environment, and not just in terms of proximity.
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