Afghanistan Cricket Secures Five-Year Agreement to Make Abu Dhabi Their Second Home

Add as a preferred source on Google

Afghanistan cricket has found a stable home away from home with the Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub (ADCSH). In a landmark development, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and ADCSH have signed a five-year "destination support agreement," making Abu Dhabi the hub for all ACB training camps.

Afghanistan A matches, and age-group cricket. This agreement, which runs through to 2029, could also see senior men's bilateral matches hosted in the UAE in the future, subject to discussions with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB).

The agreement follows comprehensive talks between the ACB, ADCSH, and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC). All parties have expressed their joint commitment to boosting cricketing opportunities for Afghan players on the world stage. The official statement from the ACB highlighted that "the agreement also encompasses support towards ACB to facilitate the Board's global operations and enhance player development pathways."

The political challenges in Afghanistan have long meant that the country has struggled to host international teams on its own soil. Instead, the senior men's team has often relied on surrogate venues in India - including Dehradun, Lucknow, and Greater Noida - and in the UAE. Notably, Abu Dhabi has already been a key venue for Afghanistan cricket, having hosted three of their Test matches: two against Zimbabwe in March 2021 and one against Ireland in February 2024. ODI and T20I matches have also been staged in both India and the UAE.

Welcoming the move, Matt Boucher, chief executive of ADCSH, said: "Our facilities have already welcomed the world's best players, and this agreement strengthens our strong commitment to nurturing global sporting and cricket talent and leveraging its capacity to be a force for societal good. We've loved hosting Afghanistan over the last couple of years and are pleased we can confirm Abu Dhabi as their second home."

For Afghanistan cricket, the benefits are substantial. The ACB chief executive, Naseeb Khan, expressed his delight at the long-term arrangement. He described the opportunity to use Abu Dhabi's facilities as a "turning point" for Afghanistan cricket, particularly at the youth and development levels. He said: "The opportunity to now focus on Abu Dhabi as our training base and our home for age-group participation will allow us to elevate Afghanistan's sporting success and build a strong national future for the game of cricket in our country."

The new five-year deal not only provides Afghanistan cricket with world-class infrastructure but also stability, something the team and its future stars have craved for years. With the UAE's ongoing support, Afghanistan cricket can now look forward to building a stronger international presence, all while nurturing its talent and expanding opportunities for players across all levels.