New era for Afghanistan Cricket as ACB announces historic home series against New Zealand, South Africa

Afghanistan’s journey in the international cricket arena has been nothing short of extraordinary. From their modest beginnings on dusty pitches to now being recognized as a formidable force on the international stage, the rise of Afghan cricket is a tale of resilience, determination, and unyielding passion.

In a groundbreaking development that highlights their meteoric rise in world cricket, Afghanistan is set to host cricketing giants New Zealand and South Africa on home soil. It will be the first time in history that such big teams will tour Afghanistan, marking a monumental moment not just for Afghanistan cricket but for the entire nation.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announces home series against New Zealand and South Africa

For a country that has faced overwhelming challenges, including political turmoil and limited resources, the upcoming home series against South Africa and New Zealand are much more than just cricketing games. It is a powerful statement of Afghanistan's emergence in the cricket world.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has been working tirelessly to make this dream a reality, and now they are set to show the Asian country's capabilities to the world. The upcoming home series will offer invaluable experience to the players, who will face off against some of the world's best.

The exposure to such high-level competition on home turf is a game-changer, providing Afghanistan cricketers with the opportunity to sharpen their skills and gain confidence. Moreover, hosting such elite teams is set to inspire a new generation of Afghan youngsters to pick up a bat or ball and dream of representing their country on the global stage.

However, with this opportunity comes the enormous responsibility of ensuring a successful and safe series in Afghanistan. The ACB must navigate a countless challenge, from managing logistics to meeting the high expectations of both fans and the international cricket community.

Our hearts are deeply attached to our beloved Afghanistan: ACB

Every detail will be under scrutiny, as the whole world will watch Afghanistan’s historic moment. Meanwhile, ACB posted a video on their social media to express their honor while announcing the home series against New Zealand and South Africa.

Along with an emotional yet heartwarming clip, featuring some of the team’s historic moments, ACB posted on X: “Our hearts are deeply attached to our beloved Afghanistan, and this time, we shine brighter than ever as we are set to host two world-class teams for the first time in our cricketing history.🏏Together, let’s make our nation proud! 🤩 #AFGvNZ #AFGvSA.SA”

Our hearts are deeply attached to our beloved Afghanistan, and this time, we shine brighter than ever as we are set to host two world-class teams for the first time in our cricketing history. 🏏

Together, let’s make our nation proud! 🤩#AFGvNZ | #AFGvSA https://t.co/ybO04GA68C

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 2, 2024

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's white-ball captain and star spinner, Rashid Khan, has been left out of the initial squad for the upcoming one-off Test against New Zealand. According to reports, Rashid is expected to remain unavailable for Test matches until November, as the star spinner was advised to refrain from participating in the longer format of the game.

After undergoing back surgery last year, Rashid missed a lot of franchise cricket. With the Champions Trophy 2025 approaching, the ACB doesn’t want to risk his health in a hurry, so they are aiming to bring him back into action after his complete recovery, which may be just before the mega event.