Afghanistan find abode in Doon valley yet again

The picturesque landscape of Dehradun valley, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, has been chosen as a venue that will be availed by Afghanistan Cricket Board for hosting Bangladesh in a limited overs one-day international series in the month of June.

In the process, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium situated in Raipur area of Dehradun could become the Afghan’s second home ground in India after the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida.

The series shall be a hard-fought one

On neutral territory

In January this year, ACB chairman Atif Mashal had hinted at the BCCI was providing them with another home ground in India, and since the climate in the valley region of Uttarakhand’s capital would suit players, Dehradun could be zeroed in on.

Earlier this week, ACB CEO Shafiq Stanikzai confirmed this development stating that Dehradun will host a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh in the month of June, just prior to Afghanistan’s historic first Test match scheduled to be played from 14th June against India in Bangalore.

The Bangladesh board has also given their confirmation regarding the series, with the final fixtures yet to be finalised.

The Dehradun stadium is situated amidst the scenic beauty of hills

The Afghanistan-Dehradun connect

This is not the first instance of Afghans finding home in the hilly terrain of Dehradun. In the first Anglo-Afghan war that was fought in the period 1839-1842 between British Imperial India and Emir of Afghanistan Dost Mohammad Khan, the latter was overthrown and sent into exile by the former to Dehradun, where he stayed in the hills of Mussoorie for close to six years.

Dehradun, which is known for its good schooling, climate and bakery products, is also famous for a variety of rice known as the Basmati, one which was introduced in the valley by Dost Mohammad as he brought it from the Kunar province of Afghanistan.

Later, post the second Afghan War (1878-80), Dost Mohammad’s grandson Mohammad Yaqub Khan chose Dehradun as his abode in exile. In fact, his extended family and servants permanently shifted base to the beautiful valley which also served as the birthplace of the penultimate King of Afghanistan-Mohammad Nadir Shah.

With BCCI deciding to provide the only international stadium in the state to serve as a home ground to the war-torn nation, another chapter of Afghanistan’s connect with the idyllic valley of Doon will be etched in history.

The stadium is built with state of the art facilities and abides by international standards

The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium

The 25000 capacity stadium is the first stadium of international standards in the state of Uttarakhand which is otherwise known for pilgrimage places like Haridwar, Rishikesh and the Char Dham Yatra. Spread out in the form of an ‘Aipan’, a traditional Kumaoni art form, the stadium acknowledges local culture and tradition.

Having been carved out of the state of Uttar Pradesh in 2000, Uttarakhand (then Uttaranchal) lacked any major sporting infrastructure before the foundation stone for this stadium was laid down in 2012.

An international fixture provides the fans with a great opportunity to watch live cricket

Inaugurated in 2016 by the state’s then Chief Minister Harish Rawat and IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla, the stadium, the roof of which is constructed using textile polymer and other high tensile material, boasts of international state of the art facilities such as flood-lights for day-night matches, a swimming pool, corporate boxes, a gymnasium and a club-house.

Spread across an area of 23 acres, the stadium had the opportunity of hosting one Ranji trophy match in 2017 which had to be shifted to Lucknow due to certain rules of the BCCI. Thus, the international fixture between Afghanistan and Bangladesh comes as an opportunity for the cricket fans of the valley who have been eagerly waiting for international action.