There were bomb scares in Afghanistan but for Tendai Chatara it was a fruitful excursion in the Asian country.

Apart from having breakfast with Afghan president Ashraf Ghani last month, Chatara was named the best bowler while his side also won the Shpageeza Cricket League title.

In between these experiences, the 26-year-old bowler, had a feel of suicide bomb.

He has no regrets and can only look back at life memories in Kabul.

“To be honest all I wanted was a good tournament, being called to play means they had expectations so I had to perform,” Chatara said.

Chatara finished as the tournament’s best bowler with 13 wickets that inspired his team Band-e- Amir Dragons to the title of the tournament that ran from September 11-26 in Kabul.

“I knew if I perform I would open up opportunities to get recognition in other leagues like the Bangladesh Premier League and many others,” he said.

“Playing in these tournaments also comes with extra money and that is cool,” said Chatara declining to disclose how much he pocketed in the two weeks tournament.

A bomb blast occurred on September 13 killing three people and injuring 12, when a suicide bomber detonated explosives at a security check point close to the Alokozay Kabul International Cricket Ground.

“Of course I experienced nerves when I heard about the bomb...but I wasn’t really affected because it happened when I was at the hotel.

“But guys who were at the stadium at the time of the blast were shaken.”

He says he has no regrets for staying behind especially after compatriots Hamilton Masakadza and Solomon Mire returned after the blast.

“Staying behind was a good decision ,after the blast we got assurance from the right hand man of the Afghanistan president that security would be beefed up and we would be under presidential guard.

“We also had breakfast with the president and he gave us security assurance.

“It was a nice experience getting a handshake from the Afghanistan president,” said Chatara

For someone who thought his career was done following a left leg shin injury during a cricket offseason social soccer match in his hometown Mutare in 2015, every game is a blessing for ‘Chats’.

“Looking at my career I can only thank God...He makes all this possible and with faith in Him you can do more.

“At one stage I thought I was gone my career is over, but am really amazed I have bowling like this since then,” he said.

Chatara wants more match-winning performances.

“I have bowled well in our recent tours.

“I hope my performance has opened up doors to other T20 leagues for them to appreciate that Zimbabwean players are also good.

“Spinners are traditionally dominant in the sub-continent, but it's nice I raised my hand too with some good seam bowling in those conditions.

“In more of informal talks guys in Afghanistan said they would call me again if there are any tournaments with a better deal next time.

Chatara has set sights on Test cricket return.

“I can still play test cricket with good conditioning, recovery in preparation I can do well in test cricket,” said Chatara whose last test match was in 2014 away to Bangladesh.

He has played seven tests picking up 20 wickets with an average of 29.25.

 - Story by Brighton Zhawi