BCCI denies Afghanistan’s request to play T20 League in India
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rejected Afghanistan Cricket Board’s plea of hosting T20 league in India. It was a rare instance of BCCI rejecting the request of the budding nation. The Indian cricket board has contributed immensely to the growth of Afghanistan cricket.
On Tuesday (18th June), a BCCI official told PTI, “The ACB did request us to host its league in India but it would not be appropriate considering we have our own league (the IPL).” Afghanistan cricket officials had conveyed their request to the BCCI CEO Rahul Johri and GM Cricket Operations Saba Karim during their meeting in Mumbai on 16th May.
ACB CEO Asadullah Khan also requested for a third home ground in India after Dehradun and Greater Noida. BCCI has no issues regarding the allotment. Lucknow is expected to be Afghanistan’s third home ground in India. “Since Dehradun doesn’t have a five-star hotel, hosting teams is an issue. We would prefer it to be Lucknow,” Khan had told PTI.
The inaugural season of the Afghanistan Premier League was held in Sharjah in October 2018. International stars like Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, Ben Cutting, Shahid Afridi, Colin Ingram and Colin Munro took part in the five-team tournament.
Apart from hosting the APL, ACB also requested to allow 10 of its coaches to work with the support staff of leading Ranji Trophy teams. The BCCI is considering the request.
