First international cricket match to be held in Doon
Two years after it was constructed, the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium is set to host the first international match as the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have agreed to hold a three-match T20I series here next month
Two years after it was constructed, the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium is set to host the first international match as the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have agreed to hold a three-match T20I series here next month.
The matches are scheduled for June 3, 5 and 7 before the Afghanistan team travels to Bengaluru for the one-off Test match against India, said an official.
“ACB is delighted to host Bangladesh for the T20I series in Dehradun in early June which will be a good opportunity for both sides to play competitive cricket,” ACB chairman Atif Mashal said in a statement.
“Cricket fans have also previously enjoyed games between the two sides, and this will be yet another opportunity for them to witness their sides play against each other.”
Afghanistan and Bangladesh have faced each other only once in a T20I in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20. Bangladesh won the match. Afghanistan is currently ranked 8th and Bangladesh 10th in the ICC T20I team rankings.
ACB chief executive officer Shafiq Stanikzai said, “The ongoing training camp in India for players from the national and U19 teams as well as top performers from domestic cricket will help the selection committee to select a strong side for the T20I series against Bangladesh.”
Bangladesh Cricket Board CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury was quoted as saying, “Afghanistan have some fine players for this format and we will have the advantage of familiarity with the conditions in Dehradun.”
Spread in 23 acres and built with a cost of ₹237 crore, the stadium was inaugrated in December 2016. Uttarakhand cricketers are waiting for the BCCI affiliation to the state cricket board.
Uttarakhand cricket board sources said the international match in Doon would give a fillip to the state’s demand for the BCCI affiliation.