In the ICC meeting today, Ireland and Afghanistan have been granted full members test status.
Now 12 teams will play test matches involving these two teams. Both of them have been playing great One day international and T20 cricket in the recent past.
Ireland began to play One-day international cricket against England in 2006. They have played 117 One day Internationals winning 51, losing 57 and no results 6. They were called the associate nation qualifying for the 50 Over World Cup held in West Indies during 2007. In the 2007 World Cup, Ireland shocked Pakistan to win the match by 3 wickets and defeated the test playing nation Bangladesh to qualify for the Super 8 stage.
Big news. @ACBofficials granted Full Membership of @ICC
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) June 22, 2017
They played in the 2011 World Cup held at subcontinent and defeated higher-ranked England to chase down a massive target of 329. Despite that Ireland did not qualify for the knockout rounds. In the 2015 World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand they defeated West Indies by 4 wickets, also defeated UAE but could not qualify for the quarter-finals.
Ireland has participated 5 T20s World Cups qualifying for the Super Stage only once in 2009. Their performance in One-day internationals has been great.
Massive news confirmed from @ICC! @Irelandcricket elevated to Full Member Status #IrelandFullMember
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) June 22, 2017
Afghanistan performance in One-day Internationals and T20 matches have been great. They have a total of 19 ODI against Full members, 47 T20 matches against Associate nations. While in the T20 format they have played a total of 18 ODI Matches against Full Members and 43 matches against the associate nation. They defeated Zimbabwe successive three One-day international and T20 series. Also, they defeated the eventual champions of World T20 in 2016 held in India.
In the recently concluded 3 match ODI series, Afghanistan drew with West Indies 1-1 after the third ODI was washed out due to rain.
Massive thank you to everyone who has played their part in making the dream of Full Membership of @ICC a reality.
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) June 22, 2017
They have taken part in 4 T20 tournaments and also made their 50 Over World Cup debut in 2015. It is the biggest achievement for these two nations to get test status after a long time. In the intercontinental cup, Afghanistan has lost only match with a loss to Ireland in 2013.
It will be great to see these two associate nations to be awarded test status. They have shown great promise. In the recently concluded 10th edition of IPL, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi were taken by SRH.
Afghanistan Cricket Board Chief Shafiq Stankazi: “For a nation like Afghanistan it is a huge and remarkable achievement, the entire nation will be celebrating across all five regions and different provinces, it is the perfect Eid gift. Everyone has waited for this news and has been so keen to hear this news. Afghanistan Cricket has gone from strength to strength and we dared to dream that this would happen and today it has become a reality.
— Gary Wilson (@gwilson14) June 22, 2017
Cricket Ireland Chief Executive Warren Deutrom: “We are delighted and proud with today’s historic announcement. It is an extraordinary testament to the talent and endeavor of thousands of passionate players, coaches, volunteers, staff, clubs and committee people.