- 'Greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid might not travel to Kabul but can certainly give these players a tip or two when they are in India.'
Afghanistan's cricket team will shifted its home base from Sharjah to the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association stadium in Noida where they will play their matches and practice after an MoU was signed on Thursday in this regard.
According to the Memorandum of Understanding with the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) will be able to utilise the facilities of the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, which has successfully hosted a Ranji Trophy game between Uttar Pradesh and Baroda.
"First of all I would like to thank BCCI and Greater Noida Authority. We compliment the support of BCCI towards Afghanistan cricket development and the commitment they have shown so far is immense. We were trying a lot from the last few years to get some sort of support from BCCI as Afghanistan, you all know, is an emerging nation, which is knocking the door of Test cricket," Shafiq Stanikzai, CEO ACB,
said.
BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur, who also signed the MoU papers in presence of UPCA secretary Rajeev Shukla, not only gave the new ground a big thumbs but also complimented the Afghanistan team for its recent success.
"Afghanistan have done well in the last two years and to qualify in the World Cup, it showcases their hardwork. And they will play in India and like India played a big hand in Bangladesh becoming a full member, India will also play a big part in Afghanistan becoming a full member as well," Thakur said.
Thakur also insisted that rubbing shoulders with the greats of Indian cricket will certainly open a new world for the young Afghan players.
"Not only they will play their matches here but will also get added support like a chance to get help from top coaches and a chance to rub shoulders with India's best cricketer's. Greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid might not travel to Kabul but can certainly give these players a tip or two when they are in India, so the BCCI will certainly help them in every manner," he said.
On being asked about the time frame for international matches to be hosted on this ground, Thakur said, "Look ICC has this procedure that whichever stadium has to have international matches, a match referee has to inspect the venue and if it fits the bill for an ICC venue then it gets permission for it.
"The ICC did a recce of this ground and it was found fit to host affiliate and associate matches and also for Under-19 and 'A' level cricket. To host an international match the venue still needs to be equipped with a few more facilities," he said.
Thakur also gave more details on the efforts of Asian powerhouses, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, to uplift associate cricket in the region.
"In the recently concluded Asian Cricket Council meeting, I personally stressed on the fact that associate nations should be helped. We also agreed that the four full members (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh) should take out two per cent of their overall earnings and two percent combined from the associate nations and generate a kitty.
"That 10 per cent money will help host the Associate Asia Cup in which countries like Afghanistan and Oman will play with their full teams while India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will send their 'A' teams with some top players in them. Big players, who might not be a part of the senior team will also accompany the big guns to raise the level of cricket," he said.
