Terrorists target Afghanistan T20 league, commentator and former Australia player Dean Jones not injured in attack
Three dead after Afghan stadium blast
Former Australian Test cricketer Dean Jones says he is safe after a suicide bomber targeted the stadium in Afghanistan where he was commentating.
At least three people are dead after the attack just outside the gates of the Kabul International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
We are all fine thank you... great cricket today .. @Cam12Delport 100 was awesome!! More news tomorrow ...%E2%80%94 Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) September 13, 2017
Jones' sports manager Liam Pickering confirmed the commentator was safe but thinks he should return home.
"My view would be that you'd get home, get out of town for sure," Pickering told 3AW.
Image Id: 57EB700DC1DD4214B2FBF4D82AC78F2E Image Caption: Security personnel stand guard outside the stadium in Kabul // GettyInterior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said two of the dead were police officers and the other a civilian.
The blast outside Kabul International Cricket Stadium took place during a match in Afghanistan's Shpageeza Cricket League, a T20 franchise tournament on the lines of the Indian Premier League and similar 20-over tournaments.
The Shpageeza tournament, now in its fifth season, is one of a small number of Western-style sports competitions along with Afghan Premier League football that have grown since a US-led campaign toppled the Taliban in 2001.
A small number of foreign players from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and the West Indies are taking part.
Sad to hear about the Bomb Blast during our game outside the stadium🙏Thank god we are all safe,Condolences to the people that passed away😢 https://t.co/SHQ8F2o8xM%E2%80%94 Cameron Delport (@Cam12Delport) September 13, 2017
Local Tolo News Television quoted the Afghan Cricket Board as saying all players were safe.
"Sad to hear about the bomb blast during our game outside the stadium. Thank God we are all safe," Cameron Delport, a South African batsman playing for the Boost Defenders team, tweeted after the match.
Cricket has become one of Afghanistan's most popular sports and the national team was recently granted Test status.