Dubai: Afghanistan, who have been using the Sharjah Cricket Stadium as their home ground, have become an associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) thanks to a decision at the organisation’s ongoing annual conference in London.
Afghanistan, who had been an affiliate member since 2001, have thus become the 38th country to get this status. Though international matches are not played in Afghanistan because of security issues, the team have been producing some outstanding performances.
The nomination for associate membership was presented by the Asian Cricket Council, which is very impressed with the progress of the team, especially their development plans.
Now that it has been given associate membership status, the annual funding for Afghanistan’s cricket board will go up from $700,000 to $850,000 (Dh2,570 million to Dh3,121 million) a year.
Their team, some of whom represent local teams in UAE domestic tournaments, have qualified to play in the last two World Twenty20 tournaments. Afghanistan also played two official One Day International matches against Pakistan and Australia at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium last year.
Afghanistan’s national team is coached by former UAE national team boss and former Pakistan international player Kabir Khan.
Tim Anderson, the ICC Global Development Manager, had told Gulf News: “We are delighted with Afghanistan. It is a wonderful story for us to tell how you can overcome challenges and work through the system.”
Many expatriates from Afghanistan live in Sharjah, meaning all their matches being held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium receive huge turnouts.
