Pakistan eager for Afghanistan match

Pakistan football authorities today said they were delighted at the prospect of playing their first match in Afghanistan for 36 years, and hoped it could pave the way for more ties with their neighbour.
Pakistan's national team will play the friendly in Kabul on Tuesday, the first international match in the war-ravaged city since Afghanistan faced Turkmenistan in 2003.
"It is very exciting to send our team across the border to Afghanistan," Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) secretary Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi told AFP.
"This match on August 20 will create history because the last time we played an international (in Afghanistan) was way back in 1977."

Pakistan and Afghanistan frequently sent sports teams to each other's country in the past but the Russian invasion in 1979 cut off ties.
Lodhi said excitement was bubbling up on both sides of the border.

"People, players and officials in Afghanistan are also as excited to host us.
"They have agreed in principal to send their team to Pakistan in March or April next year," said Lodhi.
The friendly will provide both countries with much needed practice ahead of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship in Nepal which runs from August 31 - September 11.
Pakistan are placed in Pool A along with champions India, Bangladesh and Nepal, while Afghanistan are in Pool B alongside Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan.