India to host Afghanistan before 2019 FTP

BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary had earlier confirmed that Afghanistan cricket team will play it’s first ever Test match against India in India. Ireland and Afghanistan were confirmed as full members after a unanimous vote at an International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in London. And therefore, we now have 12 test playing nations at the international circuit.

However, with India being busy with prior commitments, the question on everyone’s mind is whether the wto sides will lock horn before 2019. There was a rumor about Afghans waiting for the Future Tour Programme (FTP). But according to Sportstar, the historic clash will take place next earlier, and not in 2019.

“It will be held before the next FTP, which gets effective from 2019. As of now, it is scheduled for next year,” the source told Sportstar.

Possible window

With no clear date and venue in place, top sources have indicated that the BCCI and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) are looking for the slot- post the India-South Africa series and before the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2018). While the plan B will be to host the game before or just after the Asia Cup.

“A lot of things are being discussed. There are quite a few factors involved here, and both the boards are trying to ensure that things fall in place smoothly,” the source, who is aware of the moves, said.

Afghans’ eager to prepare well

“It will be held next year. We cannot disclose the details at the moment,” the ACB chief had said then. India will participate in the T20I series against Sri Lanka before flying to the rainbow nation for the much-anticipated tour. On the other hand, Afghanistan are looking to send their A team for a few four-day games in India, in order to get used to the playing conditions.