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Former Afghanistan cricketer, chief selector, and coach Asadullah Khan credited the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the growth of their nation's cricket. The 41-year-old said that the relationship between the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and the BCCI has been existing since a long time and support started at a basic level when Afghanistan was working hard to be a full-member in the International Cricket Council (ICC) and continues even when Afghanistan has made strides in world cricket, with a solid 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign and a semifinals finish in 2024 T20 World Cup.
BCCI's role in shaping Afghanistan Cricket
The BCCI has played a crucial role in supporting the growth and development of Afghanistan cricket. Since the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) began its journey toward international recognition, the BCCI has provided significant assistance by allowing Afghanistan to use Indian facilities for training and hosting their home matches.
"India has supported our cricket since a long time. One time of support is at the basic level. So our team is above that basic level and is competing with the international full members. The quality of players goes up with this support, as you face the world's best, get experience, get the support of best coaches, facilities and some financial solution too," Asadullah Khan told ANI.
BCCI gave grounds for the ACB
India's grounds, such as the Greater Noida Sports Complex and later the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, have served as Afghanistan’s home venues. The BCCI has also facilitated bilateral series, exposure tours, and access to Indian coaches and infrastructure, which have greatly helped Afghan players gain experience and improve their skills.
"We used Greater Noida and Lucknow as a home ground. We played matches in Mumbai. We played matches in different grounds. Such facilities, no other associate member could get at that time. BCCI gave us that support and we became a full member and the support still continues," he added.
Asadullah Khan revealed how IPL groomed their star players
Asadullah Khan also credited the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the growth of Afghanistan Cricket. He believes that the cash-rich league played a crucial role in shaping their premier spinners, Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan and destructive batters like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran
"We have players playing in the IPL. The world's number one T20I all rounder is from Afghanistan, so is the world number one spinner (Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan). Even our batters like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran are also in the top 10 (Zadran is the second-ranked ODI batter as per ICC Rankings). So their link goes straight to the IPL, the world's best league, the best coaches and the quality of cricket and facilities in that tournament," he added.
"Our cricket has improved a lot. Because when you are playing with the best players in the world, you are using the best facilities, it definitely affects the team. The team takes it positively and moves forward," he concluded.
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