Afghanistan, India to face off for former's inaugural Test in June
Mumbai, Jan 17 (IBNS): Afghanistan and India will be facing each other for the former's inaugural Test match in Bengaluru from June 14-18.
The parent cricket body in India, BCCI, announced it via a post on Twitter.
"NEWS ALERT - BCCI and @ACBofficials announce historic India vs Afghanistan Test from June 14, 2018, in Bengaluru @RJohri @MashalAtif @ShafiqStanikzai," the tweet read.
The Afghan Cricket Board too confirmed the same.
"CONFIRMED: Afghanistan's inaugural #test match against India will be played between June 14 - 18 in Bengaluru. #AFGvsIND," the ACB tweeted.
Afghanistan, along with Ireland was given the nod for the longest format of the game by Cricket's parent body, the International Cricket Council, in June.
Afghanistan will also be the fourth nation to play their debut Test against India, who is ranked the number one Test playing side in the world currently.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan's decision to play its first ever Test match with India has riled Pakistan cricket officials.
Speaking to pakpassion.net, former Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shahryar Khan has accused Afghanistan of taking a 'very political and an unnecessarily aggressive line towards Pakistan'.
He said, “To be honest, I am not aggrieved but a little sad after hearing this news as it should have been Pakistan who played the first Test match with Afghanistan which would have been a historic occasion for both countries. In reality, this should have been the case and we had arranged for that, but their board took a very political and an unnecessarily aggressive line towards Pakistan which is completely uncalled for.”
He added, "Whilst we obviously wish the Afghanistan Cricket Team the best of luck as they embark on a new chapter of their cricket history, it is a rather sad to hear that Afghanistan will not be playing their first ever Test match against Pakistan."
The ACB has called off all ties with Pakistan after reports emerged that Pakistan-based terrorists were responsible behind the deadly 2017 Kabul attack.
Image: twitter.com/BCCI
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