Afghanistan men's cricket team
Short answer: Afghanistan, run by the Afghanistan Cricket Board, rose from ICC Affiliate (2001) to Full Member (22 June 2017) and played their first Test against India in Bengaluru in June 2018. They used Indian grounds, including Lucknow, as home bases for a time. They have not won a senior ICC title and are not on India's 2026-27 home schedule.
Key facts
- Governing body
- Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB)
- ICC Full Member since
- 2017 (Affiliate 2001, Associate 2013)
- First Test
- v India, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, 14–18 June 2018
- First ODI
- v Scotland, Benoni, 19 April 2009
- First T20I
- v Ireland, Colombo, 1 February 2010
- Men's senior ICC titles (as of Nov 2026)
- None
Short history
The Afghanistan Cricket Board was formed in 1995, joined the ICC as an Affiliate in 2001 and became a Full Member on 22 June 2017, alongside Ireland. Their rise from the lowest tiers of international cricket to Test status took less than two decades, and spin bowling became the team's best-known strength.
Afghanistan and India
Afghanistan's first Test was against India at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, in June 2018. Because of insecurity at home, they used Indian venues as home bases for a time, including Dehradun and Lucknow's Ekana Stadium. Their current home ground is the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE.
Fantasy angle (our general view)
Afghanistan's wrist and finger spinners are the obvious fantasy picks in Asian conditions, especially in T20 games without heavy dew. Their batting is less predictable, so top-order batters are a higher-risk choice. See choosing bowlers: pace vs spin.
Fixtures in India on our schedule
No match against India on our 2026-27 home schedule.
FAQ
Where did Afghanistan play their first Test?
Against India at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, in June 2018.
When did Afghanistan get Test status?
On 22 June 2017, at the same time as Ireland.
Has Afghanistan played home matches in India?
Yes. After gaining Full Member status they used grounds in India, including Dehradun and Lucknow's Ekana Stadium; their current home ground is in Sharjah, UAE.