Afghanistan hailed for Laureus spirit award

Afghanistan's cricket team on Thursday were hailed after they received the prestigious Laureus "Spirit of Sport" award.

Afghanistan were awarded the prize in recognition of their swift rise in world cricket and their maiden qualification for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2015.

They also featured in the first round of the ongoing T20 WC -- their third T20 WC participation.

Afghanistan have enjoyed a fairytale rise in cricket after winning the International Cricket Council's divisions from five to two in 2009. They also finished runners-up in the 2010 Asian Games in China.

?We have been aware of the inspiring rise of cricket in Afghanistan for some time," said ICC chief executive, David Richardson.

"However by receiving this prestigious award it is clear that the wider international sports community has now also recognized the significant, positive influence cricket is having in Afghanistan."

The ICC has a special funding for Afghanistan and granted them a bonus of one million dollars to prepare for the 2015 World Cup.