Hashmatullah Shahidi seeks consistent home venue for Afghanistan in India
What's the story
Hashmatullah Shahidi, a prominent figure in Afghan cricket, has expressed his desire for Afghanistan to have a consistent home venue in India.
He believes that this would significantly enhance their performance in red-ball cricket.
The Afghan skipper's plea comes as the team prepares to host New Zealand for a one-off Test match, starting September 9, at the Greater Noida Stadium near Delhi.
Venue significance
Shahidi highlights the importance of a consistent venue
Shahidi emphasized the importance of having a single, reliable venue for their home games.
He stated, "If you see, India is our home and when we host teams, the other nations have played more cricket than us here."
He expressed hope that both the Afghanistan Cricket Board and BCCI would work together to secure a suitable venue in India.
Cricket journey
Afghanistan's journey in Test cricket
After becoming a full-member side, Afghanistan have hosted their home Tests in Dehradun, Lucknow, and Abu Dhabi.
As per ESPNcricinfo, they have played nine Tests in the last six years and are scheduled to play 22 more in the current FTP from 2023 to 2027.
Shahidi acknowledged that "In six years, nine games is not a lot," highlighting the need for more opportunities against stronger teams.
Match opportunities
Shahidi calls for more Test matches against top teams
Shahidi stressed the importance of playing more matches against top-tier teams to improve their skills.
He said, "If we get a lot more chances with the good teams, we will improve."
He also suggested that playing three or four games in a row would be beneficial for the team's development in red-ball cricket.