Afghanistan all set to play MCC at the Home of Cricket

The Afghanistan Cricket team is lined up to play the Marleybourne Cricket Club in their maiden fixture at the home of cricket. The Asian side, who have made rapid strides in international cricket, will set foot into the hallowed turfs of Lord’s for the first time.

The Afghanis will play the Marleybone Cricket Club captained by Brendon McCullum in a 50-over contest. The match is scheduled to be played on July 11 after the Test match between England and South Africa. This is the second time MCC agreed to match up against an associate nation after Nepal last year.

The tie-up between Afghanis and the MCC can be traced back several years when both Mohammad Nabi and Hameed Hasan were invited to participate in the MCC Young Cricketers program. Under the MCC Spirit of Cricket banner, way back in 2009, MCC President Matthew Fleming traversed across to visit Jalalabad to monitor the first coaching camp in the country.

The current President of the MCC seemed super excited to welcome the team in their own turf. He believes that the match is going to propel the development of the sport across the country. “I am thrilled that we will be welcoming Afghanistan to Lord’s this summer. I have seen first-hand the talent and passion for cricket the nation has, and this fixture can only be a good thing for the ongoing development of Afghan cricket,” the current MCC president was quoted as saying by espncricinfo.com

“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.” Fleming added.

He also committed that the match will be played in the best spirit. “We are delighted therefore that Brendon McCullum will captain MCC, as he will ensure the match is both competitive and exciting, played in the very best spirit. The whole club looks forward to what we know will be a wonderful and historic day,” he concluded.