Afghanistan eyeing full ACC membership (Video)

KABUL (PAN): The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Tuesday said it has met the required standards to apply for full member status of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) at its upcoming meeting in Malaysia. ACB chief executive Dr. Hamid Shinwari told a news conference that Afghanistan was currently an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and all the requirements for ICC associate membership had been met. Likewise, the ACB is also ready to become a full member of the Asian body. He said the conditions comprised construction of six stadia, a strong administrative system, creation of 16 local teams and an improved domestic cricket structure. Shinwari said two international-standard stadiums and similar other facilities had been constructed, while work on more sporting facilities was underway. "Afghanistan has come up to the standards two years in advance and applied to ACC to grant us the membership. But the issue remained unaddressed due to weakness of previous ACB officials." PAJHWOK/Ataullah Khpelwak