http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Alan-Raymond-Isaac-c42771, the ICC president welcomes Australia’s decision to play Afghanistan - Cricket News Update
Alan Isaac, the newly appointed president of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has hailed the decision by Cricket Australia (CA) to play their first ever match against the minnows http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Afghanistan-c745.
Initially, playing Afghanistan was not part of the itinerary but in an effort to help the development of Afghan cricket, Australian Cricket Board officials decided to the give the ICC Associate member country a chance to play their national team.
"This fixture supports ICC`s initiative to provide more opportunities for our top ranking Associate/Affiliate Member (AM) teams to play against better opposition. It aligns perfectly with the ICC Strategic Plan to build a bigger, better global game by developing
more competitive teams at the highest level," said Isaac, who was in Ireland to watch the Afghanistan take on the hosts.
For the mighty Australians, the match will serve as a warm-up game before their series against Pakistan, scheduled to take place in UAE. For the minnows however, playing the former four-time World Champions will be a rare opportunity and they will be eager
to showcase their mettle at the international front.
This will also be only their second ODI against any ICC full member team, having played against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Netherlands-c753,
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Scotland-c756, emerging, alongside Ireland, as the strongest future contender for a berth among Test playing nations.
Acknowledging their remarkable off-late success, the CA chief executive http://www.senore.com/Cricket/James-Alexander-Sutherland-c65430 had earlier said, "Everyone in world cricket have been really impressed with how cricket has flourished in Afghanistan, despite its pressing national problems."
The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 born ICC president also appreciated the current number one ODI team’s initiative to give opportunities for lesser recognized nations a taste of international cricket. Australia are currently in England to play a five-match ODI series, a tour
which also included a One-Off match against another fast-improving ICC Associate country Ireland.
Afghanistan will be part of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 could serve them well
for the upcoming mega-event.
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