BCCI allows Afghanistan to host series against Bangladesh in India - Cricket Winner

In a significant development for cricket diplomacy, the BCCI has granted permission for the Afghanistan cricket team to host its upcoming series against Bangladesh in India. This move marks a return to familiar territory for Afghanistan, who will play their “home” matches at the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida after a four-year absence.

Afghanistan’s home ground

Afghanistan has a history of hosting home matches in India, having previously played at venues in Greater Noida and Dehradun. This arrangement has been beneficial for the team, providing them with quality facilities and the opportunity to play in front of a supportive fan base.

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Currently, Afghanistan’s home ground is the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE, but the return to India is seen as a positive development for the team.

The Decision

The BCCI’s decision to allow Afghanistan to host their series against Bangladesh in India highlights the collaborative spirit between the two cricketing boards. According to reports from the Times of India (TOI), BCCI officials have already granted hosting rights to the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) for the impending white-ball fixtures.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla assured that preparations for the series are underway, emphasizing the importance of providing optimal conditions for the matches.

Series Details

The Afghanistan cricket team is set to play a ‘home’ series of three ODIs and three T20I matches against Bangladesh in Noida, India.

The Bangladesh team will arrive in Greater Noida on July 22nd, allowing for practice sessions before their first ODI on July 25th.

The remaining ODIs will follow on July 27th and 30th, with the T20I series kicking off on August 2nd and concluding on August 6th. Bangladesh will then depart on August 7th.

Past Performances

Earlier this year, Afghanistan toured India to play a three-match away T20I series against the hosts. Despite their efforts, the Ibrahim Zadran-led side lost their three-match series by a 0-3 margin, playing at venues like Mohali, Indore, and Bengaluru between January 11 and January 17.

Currently, the team is participating in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies, where they finished second in Group C after defeating Uganda, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. However, they faced a setback by losing their opening Super 8 match to India at Bridgetown on June 20 by 47 runs.

BCCI’s Support

The BCCI has designated two venues in Uttar Pradesh for Afghanistan’s “home” series – Greater Noida and Kanpur, as per TOI. This continues a trend established in 2015, when Afghanistan played matches in Dehradun, Lucknow, and Greater Noida.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla stated that preparations for the India-Bangladesh Test series in Kanpur are underway. He assured that the pitches at Green Park Stadium will be in optimal condition by September, addressing any shortcomings to ensure top-notch playing conditions.