Hassan becomes first Afghan cricketer to play for MCC

London, June 8 (UNI) Hamid Hassan has become the first cricketer from Afghanistan to play for Marylebone Cricket Club in what is considered to be another step forward for the strife-torn country to qualify for the 2011 World Cup in the Indian sub-continent.

''I am hugely proud and very excited. It is absolutely a dream come true,'' Hassan told BBC Sport.

Excited at the prospect of playing against Europe XI alongside former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns and ex-England batsman John Stephenson, he said, ''To walk out at such a prestigious ground alongside such fantastic cricketers is an honour.'' The 20-year-old has been described by former England captain Mike Gatting as ''huge potential''.

''I want to show that, regardless of your origins or obstacles that may face you, you can be a success if you put your mind to it,'' Hassan added.

''I know where I was 12 months ago and I know how lucky I have been to have had advice and guidance from so many brilliant people, he said, adding, ''Now I want to show what I can do. I hope to develop my game, maybe with a second XI county side in the future, and repay the faith shown in me by some brilliant people.'' When asked if his country has the chance to qualify for the 2011 World Cup, an excited Hassan replied, ''That would be amazing, and Afghan cricket is really on the up. There is a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes and the aim is to put ourselves up there alongside Associate teams like Ireland and Bermuda.'' ''That is the dream and that is what we're working towards.'' UNI