Now one of the world's leading associate, or junior cricket, countries Afghanistan are closing in on becoming a Test match nation.
They are top of the International Cricket Council's Intercontinental Cup standings, with the winner set to gain Test status next year.
Their 50-over match against MCC at Lord's, "the home of cricket", will take place on July 11.
Two Afghan players, Mohammad Nabi and Hamid Hassan, were previously on the MCC Young Cricketers scheme.
"It is the latest landmark on a very exciting journey for Afghan cricket and MCC will need to field an extremely strong side in order to compete," the former England one-day international all-rounder added.
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