India to host Afghanistan for debut Test in 2019-20
Internet Desk: After it’s Special General Meeting on Monday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has finally taken a decision of reducing the workload of the Indian cricket team as they took some important decision about the team’s Future Tours Programme (FTP).
The board has decided that the team will play for 306 days in place of 390 days for the period of 2019 to 2023 and they will host 81 matches at home in this period which is 30 more than the current Future Tours Programme. The decision came after India skipper Virat Kohli complained that the team is not getting proper time to prepare themselves ahead of the South Africa tour, which is set to start from January 5. After this decison the players will get an extra 84 days in this 4 years span.
The next FTP cycle at home will include high-profile series against England, South Africa and Australia.
Another significant decision taken at the SGM was to host Afghanistan for a first ever Test match between the two teams.
The dates of the historic Test will be chalked out later.
“Afghans were scheduled to play their first Test in 2019 versus Australia but considering the historic relationship between India and Afghanistan, we decided to host their first Test,” said BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary.
Among other decisions taken at the SGM, the suspension of Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) was revoked on the condition that former IPL boss Lalit Modi stays away from its functioning.
The BCCI also remained firm on its stance on dope testing of cricketers, saying there was no need for NADA to test the players as the board is WADA compliant.