Khaama Press
December 10, 2015
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority on Thursday to help Afghanistan cricket with a home ground in India.
According to the local media reports, the MoU was signed by BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur and IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla to allow the Afghanistan cricket use the Great Noida cricket stadium as their home ground and play matches.
Hailing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for supporting the Afghanistan Cricket, Shafiq Stanikzai, CEO of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), said “We compliment the support of BCCI towards Afghanistan cricket development and the commitment they have shown so far is immense.”
Stanikzai further added “We were trying a lot from the last few years to get some sort of support from BCCI as Afghanistan, you all know, is an emerging nation, which is knocking the door of Test cricket.”
BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur also praised the Afghan team for their recent success while signing the MoU. “Afghanistan have done well in the last two years and to qualify in the World Cup, it showcases their hard-work. And they will play in India and like India played a big hand in Bangladesh becoming a full member, India will also play a big part in Afghanistan becoming a full member as well,” Thakur quoted ina report by Business Insider newspaper said.
Emphasizing on new opportunities for the young Afghan players by rubbing shoulders with the greats of indian cricket, Thakur said “Not only they will play their matches here but will also get added support like a chance to get help from top coaches and a chance to rub shoulders with India’s best cricketer’s. Greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid might not travel to Kabul but can certainly give these players a tip or two when they are in India. So BCCI will certainly help them in every manner.”
Rajeev Shukla, Honorary Secretary of Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association said, “We will help Afghanistan Cricket Board in every possible manner.”
According to Shukla, the venue was already approved by BCCI for first class matches and said they are happy that ACB will now make the ground as their home ground.