New Delhi: Afghanistan are set to play their debut cricket Test next year against India, with dates and a venue expected to be announced soon.
Afghanistan and Ireland were elevated to full Test membership of the International Cricket Council (ICC) last June, and Ireland has already confirmed its inaugural test match will be against Pakistan in May.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) CEO Rahul Johri posted a message on social media after Monday's special general meeting in Delhi to say "India to play inaugural test against Afghanistan. Welcome them to five-day cricket."
India to play inaugural test against Afghanistan. welcome them to five-day cricket. @ACBofficials @BCCI
— Rahul Johri (@RJohri) December 11, 2017
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials met with Johri in October in Mumbai, requesting the No. 1-ranked team take on the newest member of sport's elite.
ACB chief executive Shafiq Stanikzai responded on Twitter, thanking the BCCI for accepting the offer "to play our inaugural test match with India (our) traditional friends. My dream come true so as most of Afghan Cricket lovers."
Thanks a lot @BCCI and especially to @RJohri bhai the great for givimg us this great news and accepting our offer to play our inaugural Test match with India oir traditional friends. My dream come true so as most of Afghan Cricket lovers. https://t.co/fHsjL43PmL
— Shafiq Stanikzai (@ShafiqStanikzai) December 11, 2017
COA welcomes BCCI’s decision:
The Committee of Administrator’s chairman Vinod Rai on Tuesday welcomed the BCCI's decision to host strife-torn Afghanistan for their first ever Test match, saying the game will be enriched by the participation of more teams.
"I am delighted that the BCCI has agreed to extend a helping hand to Afghanistan and will formally welcome them into the Test arena by playing their first-ever Test," Rai said in a statement.
"The game of cricket can be further enriched when more and more countries take part," he added.
