5 reasons why Afghanistan deserve Test status

On June 22, the ICC included Ireland and Afghanistan in the elite club of full members, making them the 11th and 12th Test playing nations. This development is regarded as ICC’s acknowledgement of the two sides’ meteoric rise in international cricket.

While other Associate nations like Canada, Kenya, Namibia, and Scotland are struggling to maintain in one-day cricket, Afghanistan, since 2015, have impressed the cricketing world with their staggering development.

The Asian nation received ODI status in 2009 and it took them only eight years to become a full member. How exactly did this war-prone and financially troubled nation achieve this enormous feat?

Here we look at five aspects that have led to Afghanistan’s inspirational rise and why they deserve Test status.

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#5 Roaring success in Intercontinental Cup

Afghanistan have enjoyed immense success in the Intercontinental Cup

The Intercontinental Cup, ICC’s multiday competition for Associate Members, is conducted to test whether the teams participating are ready to face the challenges of Test cricket.

Afghanistan first featured in this tournament in 2009/10 and in their debut year, they ended Ireland’s three-year winning streak. Since then, there has been no looking back for this team and in the 2011-13 edition of the tournament, they once again reached the finals.

In the current competition, Afghanistan are placed at the top of the points table, reflecting their dominance.

Their performances in the Intercontinental Cup clearly show that Afghanistan are the best Associate nation and the gap between them and the others is only widening.

#4 Astounding improvement since 2011 World Cup

Afghanistan have improved by leaps and bounds in the last couple of years

After failing to qualify for the 2011 World Cup, Afghanistan upped the ante and improved their cricket drastically. Courtesy of their consistent performances, they booked a place in the 2015 World Cup where defeated Scotland. Although they won only one game in the tournament, their quality of cricket was certainly impressive.

In the last two years, Afghanistan have outclassed Zimbabwe, a Test nation with a win-loss ratio of 9-6, and Ireland, with a ratio of 6-5.

Incidentally, their finest win in one-day cricket came two weeks ago when they thrashed West Indies by 63 runs.

#3 A pool of talented and skilled cricketers

Afghanistan have some experienced players in the squad

The key to attaining Test status for any nation is whether they are ready for the challenges of Test cricket. Hence, what the ICC mainly looks for is the calibre and skills of cricketers who represent the particular country.

In this regard, Afghanistan are on the right track as several players possess the talent as well as the technique required to play the longest format of the game.

Mohammad Nabi, Afghanistan’s most experienced cricketer, has featured in 83 ODIs and possesses a solid temperament and patience. The same can be said about Mohammad Shahzad, the team’s preferred choice for the wicket-keeping position. He averages 33 in the ODI format and is more than capable of playing Test cricket.

Samiullah Shenwari has represented the country ever since 2009 and has the experience of playing in various conditions. Asghar Stanikzai has also featured in 75 ODIs while the young Rashid Khan, the new poster boy of Afghanistan cricket, has taken the world by storm with his wily leg-spin bowling.

The mix of experienced and young players in the team makes Afghanistan a competitive unit for the longest format of the game.

#2 Good infrastructure

Greater Noida serves as Afghanistan’s home

Due to security issues, Afghanistan are barred from hosting international games in their country but their effective tie-ups with the UAE and India have allowed them to play international games at Sharjah and Greater Noida.

Both these stadiums boast international quality infrastructure and are ideal for hosting Tests. The BCCI has supervised the construction of the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex ground in Greater Noida and hence it has all the amenities required to host Test matches.

Afghanistan use this stadium as their home venue and faced Ireland at this venue earlier in the year.

The unavailability of good infrastructure is often a key drawback for Associate nations and this affects their development. However, this is not the case with Afghanistan as they have received continuous support and guidance from the BCCI, the most influential cricket board in the world.

#1 A well-administered cricket board

The board has promoted the sport quite brilliantly in the nation

Cricketers win games for a nation but the development of the game lies in the hands of the administrators.

Sri Lanka and West Indies have shown how, despite having strong teams, cricket suffers considerably due to bad management by the boards.

Afghanistan Cricket Board, on the contrary, is functioning smoothly and has strived hard to promote the game in the nation. Strong support from the Afghan president has helped in removing barriers and maintaining high standards.

The board has successfully organised various cricket tournaments in the country which has increased the popularity of the game and has also helped create a platform for youngsters.

In 2010, the Afghanistan Cricket Board formed a women’s team as well which reflects its vision and approach towards the game. It also strengthened its ties with BCCI to ensure rapid development of the game in the nation.

This efficient cricket body and its proper functioning ensure that Afghanistan cricket is in safe hands.