Teams touring India will now play against Afghanistan as well

The delegates of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently visited Kabul, Afghanistan. The delegates, headed by the BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary, met the officials of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). The officials of the two cricket boards held discussions to see how to strengthen the cricketing ties between the two nations. And now, in a major update, the BCCI has announced a very pleasing news for the Afghanistan cricket team.

The BCCI announced that every touring team that visits India will have to play a practice match against the Afghanistan side. The move is expected to give constant international exposure to the Afghanistani side. The Afghanistani team recently got their Test status by the ICC.

However, the number of matches that they play against the top teams continue to be a minimal number. This provision of playing practice matches against the touring sides is expected to give a strong base ground to the Afghan players. As per the quotes in ManoramaOnline, The chief of the ACB expressed his delight to see the cordial relations develop with the BCCI.

“Afghanistan is now a full member of the ICC (International Cricket Council) and we also enjoy cordial relations with BCCI which will be further strengthened as we strive to work together to further develop the game in the country,” ACB Chairman Atif Mashal quoted.

Honour to host Afghanistan

Meanwhile, Amitabh Choudhary spoke about the privilege of the Indian team to host the first ever Test match of the Afghanistan team. It is worth noting that India has been an acting home venue for the Afghanistani side. The Afghans are set to host Bangladesh for a three-match series in Dehradun. Last year, they had hosted Ireland in Greater Noida in an ODI and a T20I series.

“It is an honour to be here in Kabul being invited by Mr President. It is a privilege for us to be playing Afghanistan in their historic first Test as we did not want to let go of this opportunity,” quoted Amitabh Choudhary.

“Cricket will further strengthen ties between the two countries and deliver a message of peace. Afghan players are well known and loved in India because of their participation in the Indian Premier League which will increase in the coming years,” Choudhary added.

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