THE RISE AND RISE OF AFGHANISTAN CRICKET
Test status completes Afghanistan's fairytale rise into prominence
Having gained Test status the next challenge for Afghanistan is going to be to continuously convince the top sides to play against them. © Getty
On Friday (July 14), there will be a national day of celebration at the Kabul Cricket Stadium. It is fair to say that Afghanistan, nation-wide, is basking in the afterglow of receiving Test status. At last month's International Cricket Council's (ICC) annual meeting in London, Afghanistan and Ireland became part of Test cricket's exclusive club - the first nations to be included since Bangladesh in 2000.
Due to a newfound approach amongst cricket chiefs, it had become inevitable that Test cricket was set for a shakeup with Afghanistan and Ireland - the heavyweights of Associates cricket - to be the major beneficiaries. Once the formalities were ratified in London, Afghanistan's fairytale rise into cricket prominence was complete.
The achievement has been celebrated long and hard across the war-torn country, which has endured plenty of heartache over the years. The national cricket team has become a symbol of pride for the country instilling hope and inspiration amongst the populace.
Shafiq Stanikzai, Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive, says the country is still rapturous over Afghanistan receiving full membership. "This is huge news for a nation like Afghanistan, we suffered a lot in the last three to four decades," he tells Cricbuzz. "There is not a single family who hasn't suffered and through cricket we are spreading the smiles and happiness in the faces of Afghans. This achievement is being celebrated and the celebration is still going on in different provinces.
"Personally as an administrator I felt very proud... I wanted to leave the legacy of taking ACB to the full membership of the ICC."
Deservedly, Afghanistan are enjoying their meteoric rise having only become an Associate member four years ago. Afghanistan has quickly gained an elevated status but it is unknown when they will make their historic Test debut. There has been innuendo that Afghanistan might play Ireland in a Test next year but Stanikzai hopes Afghanistan's maiden Test appearance will be against powerhouse India.
The national cricket team has become a symbol of pride for the country instilling hope and inspiration amongst the populace. © Getty
"There are no confirmed dates but we are not thinking that far ahead as the prime objective for us would be to qualify to the 2019 World Cup," he says. "The ideal Test debut for us would be playing India at Eden Garden. I say this with full confidence as whatever we have dreamt for we have achieved it, so I am sure this dream will come true as well."
There has been talk that Afghanistan could form part of a second Test tier playing matches regularly against Ireland and Zimbabwe. However, the ICC previously stated that the "remaining three Test teams to be guaranteed a consistent and confirmed schedule of Test matches against all other teams".
Stanikzai believes Afghanistan, who have claimed major scalps in limited-overs cricket in recent years, would benefit playing against Test's best including India, Australia and England. "Our history suggests that the more we played the better we got," he says. "It's a challenging task to convince these big nations to play us but I am very much hopeful that they will be playing us in order to develop our team in the longer version of the game. After all, they supported us with their valuable votes in order to obtain the recognition of the full membership and Test status."
Much like Pakistan, Afghanistan's Test journey is likely to be a nomadic experience due to safety issues at home. In late 2015, they moved from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to Noida after signing a Memorandum of Understanding. Afghanistan is likely to split their home base between Sharjah and Noida but Stanikzai envisions a future where Afghanistan can play in front of its adoring fans. "All I can say is let's hope for the best," he says. "The Afghanistan government is doing wonders and hopefully we will see peace in the country soon as it is the top priority of the government's strategy."
Other avenues could be explored like playing home matches in Singapore, Malaysia or China, which could simultaneously help grow the game in emerging frontiers. "We prefer locations which suites us in terms of the condition and cost and for sure we are ready to play in those locations in order to develop cricket in those respective countries," Stanikzai says.
For now, there is water to go under the bridge until Afghanistan emerges on the Test field. Still, for all involved, it is an exciting period ahead for the Test newcomers. Ever bullish, Stanikzai is confident Afghanistan's stunning rise will manifest in the longest format.
"Our strategical target is to be amongst the top five cricket playing nation in all three formats of the game," he says. "The amount of talent we have and the system which is working to develop players is giving us a clear indication that we will achieve our strategical target way before the targeted date of 2025."
visit to more about cricket
follow me on google+
and comment in comment box
Comments
Post a Comment