The Unlikely Test Cricket Dream: Afghanistan's Journey To The Top

Afghanistan does play test cricket. The Afghanistan men's national cricket team represents the country in international cricket and gained full membership of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2017, thereby achieving Test status. Afghanistan played their first test match in 2018, becoming the 12th test nation. Since then, they have played 9 test matches, resulting in 3 victories and 6 defeats.

Afghanistan's first Test match

Afghanistan played their first Test match in June 2018, becoming the 12th test nation. They played against India at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru and lost by an innings and 262 runs.

Afghanistan's cricket board, the ACB, was formed in 1995 and became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001. In 2003, the ACB became a member of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). After nearly a decade of playing international cricket, the ACB gained full ICC membership and Test status on 22 June 2017.

In their debut Test match, Afghanistan were dismissed twice in the same day, only the fourth time this has happened in Tests. They lasted 38.4 overs in their second dig, with their captain Asghar Stanikzai and Hashmatullah Shahidi sharing a stubborn 37-run stand. However, the others could not find a way past sustained pressure from India.

Despite the loss, Afghanistan's coach Phil Simmons believed that the team would improve with further hard work. He said that Afghanistan needed "a lot more cricket against established Test teams' A sides" for their promotion to Test cricket to work.

Afghanistan registered their first Test win in their second Test match in March 2019, becoming the fourth team after Australia, England and Pakistan to win one of their first two Tests. They beat Ireland by seven wickets in a one-off Test match in Dehradun.

Test status and the Taliban

Afghanistan was granted Test status by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2017. The country played its first Test match in 2018, becoming the 12th test nation.

In 2021, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, raising concerns about the future of the Afghanistan national cricket team. The Taliban initially banned cricket, along with all other sports, but made an exception for the game in 2000.

Taliban spokesmen stated that the Taliban would not interfere with the men's cricket team's participation in international matches. In 2021, the Taliban approved a one-off Test match against Australia, which was the first that Afghanistan played since the Taliban's takeover. The Taliban have also allowed the Afghanistan team to participate in other international matches since then.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has been recognised by the ICC since 2001. The ACB has set targets for the Afghanistan cricket team to be a top-six ODI team by 2019 and a top-three team in both T20Is and ODIs by 2025.

Afghanistan's Test match wins

Afghanistan played their first Test match in 2018, becoming the 12th test nation. Since then, they have played 9 test matches, winning 3 and losing 6. Their first test match was against India in 2018, which they lost by an innings and 262 runs. However, Afghanistan has bounced back and achieved their first Test match victory in their second Test match against Ireland in March 2019, becoming the fourth team after Australia, England and Pakistan to win one of their first two Tests.

In September 2019, Afghanistan beat hosts Bangladesh by 224 runs in a one-off Test tour. Leg spinner Rashid Khan was the hero of the game with 11 wickets in 2 innings. This was their third test victory. Afghanistan's other two test victories have come against Zimbabwe and Ireland.

Afghanistan's cricket grounds

Afghanistan has several cricket grounds, but due to security issues and a lack of international-standard facilities, the Afghanistan national cricket team does not play home matches in the country. Here is a list of some of the major cricket grounds in Afghanistan:

• Ghazi Amanullah International Cricket Stadium in Ghazi Amanullah Town, Jalalabad: With a capacity of 14,000, it is the second-largest cricket ground in the country and is well-equipped for international matches.
• Kandahar International Cricket Stadium in Kandahar: This stadium has a capacity of 14,000, making it suitable for hosting major cricket matches.
• Kabul National Cricket Stadium in Kabul: This stadium, located in the country's capital and largest city, has a capacity of 6,000, which is sufficient for minor international games.
• Khost City Stadium in Khost: A multi-sport facility with a capacity of 18,000, making it a viable option for international cricket when conditions allow.
• Sherzai Cricket Stadium in Jalalabad: This stadium is currently under construction in Jalalabad, a city known as the 'capital of cricket' in Afghanistan.
• Mazar-i-Sharif Cricket Stadium in Mazar-i-Sharif: Another major cricket stadium in Afghanistan.

In addition to these grounds, there are two more sites under construction, bringing the total number of potential venues for international cricket in Afghanistan to 12.

Due to the security situation and lack of adequate facilities in Afghanistan, the national team has played 'home' matches in other countries, including India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE. Their current home ground is the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE.

Afghanistan's cricket kit

In limited-overs cricket, such as One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), the Afghan team opts for a predominantly blue kit with splashes of green, red, black, and occasionally, yellow. Grey was the primary colour of their kit between 2012 and 2013. Fielders in limited-overs cricket wear a blue baseball-style cap or a red sun hat.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) logo is featured on the left breast of both the Test and limited-overs jerseys, with the main sponsor logo displayed in the centre. The secondary sponsor's logo is placed on the leading sleeve and back of the shirt, while the manufacturer's logo is on the non-leading sleeve. For ICC tournaments, the main sponsor logo shifts to the leading sleeve.

The kit has been sponsored by companies such as Sediki Grup and, more recently, Etisalat and Super Cola. The current kit manufacturer is TYKA Sports.

The Afghan cricket team's kit colours and designs have evolved, reflecting the team's journey and growing success in international cricket.

Frequently asked questions