The first good news

The picture shows a cricket match, played in Sharjah, between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Of course Afghanistan didn't win - Pakistan have just beaten the world's top ranked team (England, although you wouldn't think it to look at them).

Cricinfo magazine, from whom I nicked this photo, says that cricket is booming in Afghanistan, with the national team now full time, league teams in 28 of the 34 provinces and a youth training programme.

I am a great believer in the ability of sport to pacify warring parties (look at the hard fought matches between India and Pakistan, played in a good spirit), and in particular cricket, the more so because it is the most popular sport on the sub-continent.

Afghanistan needs help to develop this, and it is to be hoped they will get it.