CoA welcomes BCCI's move to host Afghans for first-ever Test

The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators on Tuesday welcomed the decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to host Afghanistan's first-ever Test match in 2019-2020.

The decision was taken in BCCI's Special General Meeting (SGM) held in the national capital yesterday.

Sharing their views on the historic announcement, Vinod Rai, Chairman, CoA, said the game would be enriched by the participation of more teams.

"The game of cricket can be further enriched when more and more countries take part. I am delighted that the BCCI has agreed to extend a helping hand to Afghanistan and will formally welcome them into the Test arena by playing their first-ever Test. I congratulate both the Boards and wish Afghanistan the best as they now prepare for the longer format of the game," Rai said.

Meanwhile, BCCI CEO Rahul Johri insisted that the board is eagerly looking forward to the historic clash, adding that the details of the match would be announced soon.

"We have been working closely with the officials of Afghanistan Cricket Board and look forward to seeing history being made. We are aware that fans from both the nations are eagerly waiting for the historic clash. The BCCI will work with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and announce the details shortly," Johri said.

Earlier, BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary said they had decided to host Afghans' first-ever Test match considering the historic relationship between the two sides.

"Afghans were scheduled to play their first Test in 2019 versus Australia but considering the historic relationship between India and Afghanistan, we decided to host their first Test," Chaudhary had said.

In 2015, the BCCI and Afghanistan Cricket Board signed an MOU with Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority to use Sports Complex as the home ground for Afghanistan Cricket Team.

Afghanistan have played five ODIs and three T20Is at the venue against Ireland.

It should be noted that Ireland and Afghanistan were given Test status earlier this year in June to become the 11th and 12th Test nations.