The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has granted permission for Afghanistan team to host their upcoming series against Bangladesh in India as per Times of India (TOI). Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida will act as the home venue for the Afghanistan team after a four-year gap as they last played there back in 2020. As per a tentative schedule, the white-ball series will take place in July-August window.
As per the TOI report the series will consist of three ODIs and three T20Is, taking place between July 25 and August 6. Bangladesh team is set to arrive in Greater Noida from New Delhi on July 22, allowing for a couple of days of training before their first ODI. This will not be the first time Greater Noida has served as a home ground for the Afghan team. In 2017, they played the venue's inaugural ODI against Ireland.
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This move comes after a period of upheaval for Afghanistan team. Following the Taliban takeover of the country in August 2021, they primarily played their home matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, discussions between the AC and the BCCI during the 2023 ODI World Cup have paved the way for their return to India.
Not The First Time Noida Will Serve As Afghanistan's Home Venue
This will not be the first time Afghanistan will play at the Greater Noida venue. Back in December 2015, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and the BCCI signed a memorandum of understanding to use the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Noida as their home ground. Since then, Afghanistan have played their 'home' matches in Dehradun, the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow and Greater Noida.
Afghanistan's Journey In T20 World Cup 2024
Coming to the Afghanistan cricket team, they played excellent cricket in the Group Stage of the tournament winning three out of four matches. They also defeated New Zealand by a significant margin. After progressing to the Super 8 stage, they lost their first match to India by 47 runs. Despite the loss, they will be hopefull of trying to finish in the top two and proceed to the knockouts of the T20 World Cup 2024.