The Unlikely Training Ground: Afghanistan Cricket Team's Indian Sojourn

The Afghanistan national cricket team has not always practised in India. However, due to the ongoing security situation and the lack of international standard facilities in Afghanistan, the team has often played home matches in other countries. In 2016, the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida became the home ground for the Afghanistan national cricket team. In 2018, the team shifted its home base to the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, India. In 2019, the Afghanistan Cricket Board requested the BCCI to move their home stadium to the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB)

The ACB is headquartered in Kabul, Afghanistan, and has set targets for Afghanistan to be a top-six ODI team by 2019 and a top-three team in both T20Is and ODIs by 2025. To achieve these goals, the ACB has proposed to secure annual bilateral matches against India and teams touring India.

The ACB has played a crucial role in the development of cricket in Afghanistan, with the country's domestic cricket structure expanding under its guidance. The ACB has divided Afghanistan into five cricket regions: Amo in the north, Spin Ghar in the east, Band-e-Amir in the centre, Mis Ainak in the southeast, and Boost in the west and southwest. These regions have representative teams that play in all three traditional formats of cricket.

The ACB has also been instrumental in securing international exposure for the Afghanistan national cricket team. Due to the security situation and lack of international-standard facilities in Afghanistan, the ACB has worked with other cricket boards to establish home grounds for the team outside of the country. In 2015, the Afghan team shifted its base to Greater Noida, India, and later to Dehradun, India, in 2018. In 2019, the ACB requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to shift their home stadium to the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India.

The ACB has also received support from the BCCI, which has provided access to its venues and world-class coaching facilities in India. This support has been crucial for the Afghanistan team's development and has contributed to their rise in international cricket.

The team's home ground

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) signed a memorandum of understanding in October 2023 to use the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Noida, about 40km outside Delhi, as their home ground. This came after the Afghanistan Cricket Board requested a shift from their previous home ground in Dehradun, India, due to a lack of five-star accommodations for international games.

The ACB CEO, Shafiq Stanikzai, expressed gratitude towards the BCCI and Mr Anurag Thakur for offering a home base in India, stating that it was a historical moment that would strengthen the relationship between the two countries. The BCCI secretary, Anurag Thakur, affirmed their commitment to expanding the game globally and helping associate and affiliate members of the ICC.

The Afghanistan national cricket team has had several home grounds in India over the years, including:

• Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun, India (2018-2019)
• Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, Greater Noida, India (2016-2018)
• Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (2010-2016)
• Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, India (2019-present)

The Afghanistan Cricket Board's decision to shift home grounds is influenced by the need for better facilities and accommodations to host international games, as well as the ongoing security concerns in Afghanistan.

The role of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the governing body of cricket in India. It was established in 1928 and is headquartered in Mumbai. The BCCI is the wealthiest cricket governing body in the world, earning over $2 billion in the 2023-24 financial year. It is an autonomous organisation that does not receive funding from the Indian government.

The BCCI manages four squads that represent India in international cricket: the men's and women's national cricket teams, and the men's and women's under-19 cricket teams. It also governs the developmental India A, India B, and India A women's teams. The BCCI organises and schedules matches for these teams and sanctions and organises domestic cricket in India.

The BCCI has 27 state association members and 3 non-playing members from all 5 cricket zones in India. It conducts several tournaments in India, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is its largest source of revenue. The BCCI is headed by a president, currently Roger Binny, who is elected at the BCCI's Annual General Meeting by the member associations.

The BCCI has played a significant role in the development of cricket in Afghanistan. Afghan cricket administrators and players have credited India for Afghanistan's rise in the sport. The BCCI has provided financial support and access to its venues and coaching facilities in India. In 2013, Afghanistan became an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) at the insistence of the BCCI, leading to increased funding from the ICC. The BCCI also allowed the Afghan cricket team to use stadiums in India as their home ground. In 2019, the Afghanistan Cricket Board requested the BCCI to shift their home stadium to the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

The Taliban's stance on cricket

During their second rule, which began in 2021, the Taliban continued to express support for cricket. A senior Taliban member, Anas Haqqani, met with Afghanistan's national cricket players and provided assurances about their security and continued support. The Taliban government also facilitated the national team's travel to Qatar for a training camp before the T20 World Cup. Additionally, the Taliban allowed the Afghanistan Cricket Board to continue its operations and supported the team's participation in international competitions.

Despite these gestures, the Taliban's stance on women in sports, particularly their ban on women's education and work, has had a detrimental effect on the development of women's cricket in Afghanistan. The nation's membership in the International Olympic Committee was suspended in 1999 due to the absence of women's sports under the Taliban's rule. More recently, Australia's national cricket association cancelled a pre-scheduled series of matches with Afghanistan in solidarity with Afghan women and girls, whose basic human rights have been restricted.

The Taliban's actions and policies have also created challenges for the men's cricket team. The Afghanistan Cricket Board has faced difficulties due to issues with banking and foreign exchange, leading to financial constraints. Additionally, several members of the board fled the country after the Taliban's takeover, and the team had to relocate their home ground outside of Afghanistan due to security concerns.

While the Taliban's support for cricket has helped the sport continue in Afghanistan, their regressive policies and human rights violations have had significant negative consequences for both men's and women's cricket in the country. The future of cricket under the Taliban remains uncertain, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) yet to decide on the team's membership status and the possibility of suspension looming.

The Afghan cricket team's training facilities

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is the official governing body of cricket in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan national cricket team has been based in several locations over the years, including Sharjah, Greater Noida, Dehradun, and Lucknow. The choice of location has been influenced by factors such as the need for international-standard facilities and the security situation in Afghanistan.

Sharjah

The Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium in the United Arab Emirates served as the 'home' ground of Afghanistan after they played two One Day Internationals against Canada there following their World Twenty20 qualifying campaign.

Greater Noida

In 2016, the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida became the home ground for the Afghanistan national cricket team. This move brought them closer to India, a country that has significantly contributed to the development of cricket in Afghanistan.

Dehradun

In 2018, the Afghanistan Cricket Board shifted its home base to the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, India. This decision was made due to the superior facilities offered by the newly constructed venue. Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, became the official home ground of the Afghanistan cricket team through an understanding between the governments of New Delhi and Kabul.

Lucknow

In 2019, the Afghanistan Cricket Board requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to move their home stadium to the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India. This switch was partly influenced by the religious context, as Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, has a large Muslim population and is famous for its non-vegetarian delicacies. This aligned with the religious beliefs of the Afghan players, who all share the Islamic faith.

Training Facilities in India

India's world-class cricket coaching facilities have played a crucial role in the development of Afghan cricketers, especially in batting and spin techniques. The BCCI has graciously provided access to its venues, allowing the Afghan cricket team to utilise its infrastructure for training and development. This support has been instrumental in the growth and success of the Afghanistan national cricket team.

Frequently asked questions