Representative Image: Abu Dhabi’s cricket stadium. © Getty The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) have announced that they have inked a five-year destination support agreement with Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub (ADCSH), making Abu Dhabi, UAE, their home venue for the next five years. Due to the political situation in Afghanistan, ACB cannot host international games at home and, as a result, have had to offer alternative destinations for touring teams to play bilateral series they are scheduled to host. Afghanistan has previously hosted teams in India’s Dehradun, Lucknow, and Greater Noida, as well as in the UAE. Following discussions between ACB and ADCSH, it was announced that Abu Dhabi, UAE, will host all ACB training camps and all Afghanistan A and national age-group matches. Additionally, the ACB and Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) will collaborate to facilitate Afghanistan’s use of UAE venues for hosting senior men’s bilateral matches. ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan expressed his appreciation for Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s unwavering support. “Very excited to be entering a fruitful partnership with the ADCSH, which will allow us to utilize all the premium facilities available in this destination for the development of our age-group cricket. Abu Dhabi confirmed as our second home marks another turning point for Afghanistan cricket,” said Naseeb in a statement. “The UAE has been instrumental in providing us with a platform to compete at the highest level, and I would like to thank the Emirates Cricket Board and all the venues for their continued support. 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,” he added. ADCSH chief executive Matt Boucher said that the agreement is closely aligned with Abu Dhabi’s overall vision of fostering a diversity of talent across all levels. “Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub is honoured to provide a world-class home for Afghanistan cricket. 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,” Boucher added.
