Afghans, Aussies to play one-off in December

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan may play their maiden Test match against the Aussies in Perth in December, a leading cricket website reported on Wednesday.

The two boards are at an advanced stage of negotiations before firming up the schedule for the one-off Test, ESPNcricinfo reported.

Whether the match can be played as a day-night Test is said to be the only question that is yet to be addressed. A final decision is expected soon.

The Aussies were originally slated to host Afghanistan in November. But the Covid-19 pandemic has forced rescheduling of several engagements.

In May, Cricket Australia agreed to host Afghanistan from November 21 to 25 at the Perth Stadium. However, now the match may be played from December 7 to 11 at the same venue.

The Test is not part of the ICC’s World Test Championship, an event that involves the top nine teams and excludes Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe.

The Australia Test will be Afghanistan’s fifth after the country was gained Full-Member status by the International Cricket Council in 2017.

Afghanistan have since lost Tests to India and West Indies while notching up wins over Ireland and Bangladesh.

PAN Monitor/mud