The Afghanistan national cricket team has steadily captured the world’s attention with their impressive performances, particularly in white-ball cricket. Players like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi have become household names globally, representing Afghanistan in nearly every major T20 league. Despite their international presence, Afghanistan is yet to host a home international match—a milestone that could soon become a reality.
A Country Once in Conflict Now Dreams of Hosting Global Cricket
Until 2021, Afghanistan couldn’t even organize domestic games in many regions due to ongoing conflict and security concerns. But things are changing.
“Before 2021, we couldn’t even host domestic matches in many provinces due to conflict. But now, Alhamdulillah, there is peace across the country,” said Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) CEO Naseeb Khan in an interview with Cricbuzz.
He highlighted recent successful events like the Wakhan T20 Cup in Kunduz near the Tajikistan border, and a three-day tournament in Helmand, close to Iran. These tournaments are seen as signs of growing stability, with Naseeb believing that Afghanistan could host international teams within the next 3 to 4 years.
“With continued improvements in security and support from the international cricketing community, I truly believe Afghanistan will host international cricket within the next three to four years,” he said.
Infrastructure and International Support Could Pave the Way
Afghanistan’s cricket journey began only 15 years ago, yet the country already boasts 8-10 standard cricket grounds in cities like Kabul, Jalalabad, Kandahar, Khost, Zabul, Paktia, Kunar, and Kunduz. These developments, given the short time frame and limited resources, are nothing short of extraordinary.
Naseeb Khan acknowledged the challenges of staging home games abroad due to high costs. To ease the financial burden and speed up infrastructure development, the ACB is in talks with governments in Qatar, the UAE, and India for financial and logistical support.
“Our infrastructure is steadily improving, and with continued effort and international support, we believe it will soon match global standards,” he noted.
A New Era for Afghan Cricket
Afghanistan’s performances in recent global tournaments have only strengthened their case. In the T20 World Cup, they reached the semi-finals, defeating teams like New Zealand, Australia, and Bangladesh. Earlier, in the 50-over World Cup, they stunned defending champions England with a dominant performance.
Hosting international cricket at home would be more than symbolic—it would inspire the next generation of cricketers in Afghanistan and bring the game closer to millions of fans across the country. As the security situation improves and infrastructure catches up, the dream of witnessing international matches on Afghan soil may soon become a proud reality.
