A Dream Come True For Afghanistan And Ireland

The elevation of Afghanistan and Ireland to full-member status of the ICC OFFERS OTHER ASSOCIATE MEMBERS THE HOPE that if they continue to make progress, they too can join the elite club of countries that get to play the oldest format of the game — Test cricket.

The ICC’s decision to promote Ireland and Afghanistan to full-member status has been noteworthy to say the least, and gives other associate member countries the hope that if they continue to make progress, they too can join the elite club of countries that get to play the oldest format of the game — Test cricket.

Ireland had, for quite some years now, been asking to be promoted, but despite most — if not all — of its players playing in the English county cricket, and thus gaining valuable experience, the team’s performances in the ICC world events were always patchy. Ireland promised a lot, but delivered little apart from the odd upset in these tournaments.

CLEARLY, ENGLISH CRICKET is not as competitive as it was some time back, and it hasn’t helped the Irish players as much as was hoped. Afghanistan, on the other hand, has made stupendous progress despite not having even a fraction of the facilities that Ireland has. Afghanistan fully deserves its promotion to full-member status. The Afghanistan players will not only be big draws in the various T20 leagues around the world but, as was seen in the Indian Premier League this year, they will be major contributors too.