Afghanistan to play India in inaugural Test match in June
India will host Afghanistan’s maiden Test match from 14 to 18 June in Bengaluru.
Afghanistan will play their first ever Test match against India in Bengaluru from 14 to 18 June. The news was confirmed by both countries' cricket boards on Tuesday.
"The historic friendship between India and Afghanistan cannot be denied. It goes back to centuries. I am glad that cricket is also added to it," Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) chairman Shukrullah Atif Mashal told reporters.
In June 2017, the International Cricket Council (ICC), cricket’s global governing body, awarded Ireland and Afghanistan Test-match status. Both teams also became full members of the ICC.
Ireland’s Test debut will be against Pakistan at Malahide, north of Dublin, in May.
One-off Test
India have already defeated Afghanistan in three previous meetings, sealing World Twenty20 victories in 2010 and 2012 and an eight-wicket one-day win in 2014.
Afghanistan’s inaugural Test could be the prefect opportunity for 19-year-old bowling sensation Rashid Khan to try his luck against India’s Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara.
Rashid came to notoriety after a series of impeccable performances in domestic T20 leagues, most notably in last year’s Indian Premier League season with Sunrisers Hyderbad.
India’s cricket team is currently in South Africa playing a three-match Test series.
The Blue Shirts lost the first Test of the series by 72 runs. The second match is currently underway, with India needing 252 runs to reach the Proteas.