Afghanistan will play all their home games in Noida
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Afghanistan and India signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday that will see the former play all their home games at the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Noida.
According to a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) release, the International Cricket Council (ICC) recently gave the green light for the ground to host ODI and Twenty20 matches between Associate teams and matches involving Associates and Full Member A teams.
“Afghanistan was quite keen to shift their home base to India for some time now and it has been BCCI’s vision to expand the game globally and help associate and affiliate members of ICC,” BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said. “In this direction, we identified this ground and Greater Noida authorities were open and cooperative to offer this ground to Afghanistan Cricket Board.”
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) CEO Shafiq Stanikzai expressed his gratitude to the BCCI and added that the move will strengthen ties between the two countries.
“I am grateful to BCCI and particularly Mr. Anurag Thakur for offering us a home base in India,” he said. “This is a historical day for Afghanistan cricket and this will strengthen the relationship between two countries.
“We were trying for this for the last few years and finally we have succeeded. I am sure that in future we would be able to host full members’ national teams on this ground as well. I would also like to thank Greater Noida Authorities for all assistance they have provided to us.”