The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a special message congratulating the Afghanistan Cricket team for their Test debut, as the team gears up to face India in their debut Test starting Thursday.
Modi wrote on Twitter, “I congratulate the people of Afghanistan as their cricket team plays their first international test match. Glad that they have chosen to play the historic match with India. Best wishes to both teams! May sports continue to bring our people closer and strengthen ties.”
Before the start of the game at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium, a presentation ceremony took place which was attended by the host of dignitaries, the Afghan players received their red Test caps.
I congratulate the people of Afghanistan as their cricket team plays their first international test match. Glad that they have chosen to play the historic match with India. Best wishes to both teams! May sports continue to bring our people closer and strengthen ties.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2018
Afghanistan last year achieved full member status of the International Cricket Council, becoming only the 12th Test team despite conflict at home which has forced them to train in India since 2015.
Special message from @PMOIndia on the occasion of the historic debut of #Afghanistan @ACBofficials in the test arena against @BCCI tomorrow at #Bengaluru. #INDvsAFG @BCCISportsTv #Cricket pic.twitter.com/w7Mr37W83y
— India in Afghanistan (@IndianEmbKabul) June 13, 2018
After learning cricket in refugee camps in Pakistan, Afghanistan has come a long way after gaining one-day international status in 2009 and qualifying for their second 50-over World Cup in England and Wales next year.
Minister of State, Sports and Youth Affairs Mr. @Ra_THORe along with Mr. Abdullah Abdullah (Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan), greet the two teams ahead of the start of play in Bengaluru.#INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/HtXNTqmXnn
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 14, 2018
Minister of Sports Rajyavardan Rathore was present on the ground and he read out the message sent by the Prime Minister before the game began.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board chief, Atif Mashal, also read out a statement from Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani. Led by Asghar Stanikzai, Afghanistan become the 12th Test playing nation in less than two decades after being recognized by International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001.
“It’s a very proud moment,” Stanikzai said at the toss. “All the guys have some first-class experience, but our first test, obviously. Maybe the first one hour it will be a good wicket for bowling.”
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However, the first session of Day 1 hasn’t been memorable for the visitors as after winning the toss Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane had decided to bat first and the openers have just complete justice to that decision. The scoreline suggests that the world no.1 side has played like a champion as they are standing at 158/0 after lunch with Shikhar Dhawan becoming the first Indian batsman to score a century in the first session of a Test match, sixth overall.
