Teams touring India will play practice games against Afghanistan: BCCI

[Switchblade]

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/afghanistan-tour-of-india/teams-touring-india-will-play-practice-games-against-afghanistan-bcci/articleshow/64400659.cms

All international teams touring India will now play one practice game against Afghanistan, an arrangement which will constantly provide international exposure to the team from strife-torn nation.The announcement was made by BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary during his visit here, per Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).

Choudhary is in Afghanistan capital to discuss the bilateral cricketing relation between the two countries.

India will host Afghanistan in their historic first-ever Test match in Bengaluru from June 14-18.ACB chairman Atif Mashal said: "Afghanistan is now a full member of ICC and we also enjoy cordial relations with BCCI which will be further strengthened as we strive to work together to further develop the game in the country."

 

Choudhary said: "It is an honour to be here in Kabul being invited by Mr. President (Mashal). It is a privilege for us to be playing Afghanistan in their historic first Test match as we did not want to let go of this opportunity.

"Cricket will further strengthen ties between the two countries and deliver a message of peace. Afghan players are well known and loved in India because of their participation in IPL which will increase in the coming years," BCCI acting secretary said.

 

Mashal, on his part, thanked BCCI for providing a second stadium for Afghanistan's home matches in Dehradun besides the one at Greater Noida. Afghanistan will "host" Bangladesh in a three-match T20 series at their adopted home in Dehradun.

[sandeep]

Good idea, but not a good choice of words.  Why call them practice games, its a bit insulting.

[LordPrabhzy]

This is good. This way touring teams will have match practice and Afg can play 1 test every tour against teams like Aus and England.

[LordPrabhzy]

4 minutes ago, sandeep said:

Good idea, but not a good choice of words.  Why call them practice games, its a bit insulting.

When Rashid and Mujeeb rip out the touring teams arses on spinning tracks, then I dont think anyone will call them practice matches 

[The Dark Horse]

Good initiative. Wonder what our neighbours think about this 

[KaushikfromDelhi]

Very good move to align Afghanistan with us rather than other regional boards. We should build them into 2nd best Asian team after us. 

[philcric]

I'm assuming these matches will be considered FC.

 

It may effect FTP, but why not consider them as Tests? International cricket is not possible in Afghanistan and it's quite unlikely AFG will be invited to Aus, Eng, SA, NZ etc. any time soon. Why not these teams play a test against AFG in India before every series against India, for the next couple of years. 

[Vilander]

1 hour ago, philcric said:

I'm assuming these matches will be considered FC.

 

It may effect FTP, but why not consider them as Tests? International cricket is not possible in Afghanistan and it's quite unlikely AFG will be invited to Aus, Eng, SA, NZ etc. any time soon. Why not these teams play a test against AFG in India before every series against India, for the next couple of years. 

That would be logical next step accord test status to these games but teams might be reluctant to do it straightaway. Already Avg gets to play games now and more games in Noida and Doon.

[Vilander]

16 hours ago, sandeep said:

Good idea, but not a good choice of words.  Why call them practice games, its a bit insulting.

I think he means FC games 

[puneet28]

Good idea. In my opinion similar arrangement should be made for Ireland as well. Teams touring England should play a test match against Ireland the way it was done for Pakistan.

[philcric]

1 hour ago, puneet28 said:

Good idea. In my opinion similar arrangement should be made for Ireland as well. Teams touring England should play a test match against Ireland the way it was done for Pakistan.

 

This would be really good for both IRE / AFG as well as the visiting teams.

 

Every team visiting UK has to play a test against IRE before the main series against UK.

Every team visiting IND has to play a test against AFG before the main series against IND.

 

This way IRE / AFG gets to play some test cricket (4-5 per year) and visiting teams gets some good practice.

[S_pace]

This initiative is good but that will mean less opportunities for our domestic players and that's not good for our cricket.

[velu]

bcci trying to be a nice guy 

[The Dark Horse]

1 hour ago, Dangraj said:

Since you are always worried about our approval We do.

Approval?  Lol.

[Scar]

I don't know when this good will developed but I really like Afghanistan people and the nation. On social media, the only cricketing nation which supports us unconditionally 

 

[Scar]

3 hours ago, S_pace said:

This initiative is good but that will mean less opportunities for our domestic players and that's not good for our cricket.

Our players gets lots of opportunities in IPL. 

 

Sometimes, you can cut off of your breakfast if it can feed a famished person.