Afghanistan To Play Historic Test Against India In June 2018
The much-anticipated Test between India and Afghanistan can take place earlier than expected with reports suggesting that the game might be played in June this year.
Last month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India had announced that they would host the war-ravaged nation and the latest entrant in Test cricket for their maiden Test. However, no dates were slated for Afghanistan’s historic first Test match although speculations were rife that it would take place in 2018. But chances of seeing the game being held this year were looking bleak as the Indian team was scheduled to play back-to-back overseas tours. Reports suggested that fixture would ultimately be pushed back to the next Future Tours and Programme (FTP) that begins in 2019.
India to play inaugural test against Afghanistan. welcome them to five-day cricket. @ACBofficials @BCCI
— Rahul Johri (@RJohri) December 11, 2017
@ACBofficials and @BCCI have agreed that Afghanistan will play its first Test against India. The exact date and venue of the match will be shared in a joint press conference in due course. I personally thank BCCI board for the decision. @BCCI @ARG_AFG
— Atif Mashal عاطف مشعل (@MashalAtif) December 11, 2017
However, Sportstar has now reported that the Test will be held in June 2018. The news outlet claimed that any official decision on the matter is yet to be taken but ‘as of now’ June has been zeroed in on as that’s the only available window left for the Indian team.
After the Indian Premier League, India will leave for Europe where they will play two T20I games in Ireland before taking on England in a full-fledged series. And the small window between the Indian Premier League and India’s tour to Ireland and England is likely to be used to host this historic Test.
“The venue and the date for that tournament will be announced shortly. It is likely to be held around that time (June) only,” BCCI acting president, C. K. Khanna, told the news outlet.
Meanwhile, the report also claimed that Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has already proposed the name of the series. The ACB has put forward the proposal of naming the series after two present country heads — Narendra Modi and Ashraf Gani.
“There has been a proposal from the ACB regarding naming the tournament after the country heads, but nothing has been decided yet,” a source said.
Afghanistan, along with Ireland, were awarded Test status by the International Cricket Council in June. Ireland will play their first Test match against Pakistan in May.
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