First-class and List-A status awarded to Afghanistan domestic circuit

Afghanistan cricket took a massive step towards making it big in the cricketing world in recent times given the fact that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has awarded their domestic system with both First-Class as well as List ‘A’ Privileges. This comes following the application from the Afghan-based cricket board for full ICC membership as well as Test okaying status as well.

Shafiq Stanikzai, the chief executive of the Afghanistan Cricket Board also went on to appreciate the granting of these badges that could perhaps grow cricket in the war-ravaged country. He also went on to add that making it to the full membership table as well as the reciprocal of Test match status are the other things on the agenda of the Board in the grand scheme of things.

“We appreciate the decision of CEC and ICC board,” Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive Shafiq Stanikzai told ESPNcricinfo after the decision was announced. “This recognition gives us strength to move forward and to become a competitive Test side in our strategic targeted time frame.”

Afghanistan cricket has been on the rise ever since their arrival to cricket. They have certainly had the help of the other Asian giants in the fray such as India and Pakistan who have batted for them at the big table as well. Even Indian-based coach Lalchand Rajput has been named as the Afghan coach with the Indians providing them facilities to train and develop their cricketing squad within the country as well.

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