Ireland, Afghanistan granted Test status by ICC

In a very significant development in cricketing world, the war-torn Afghanistan on Thursday were confirmed as 'Full Member' of ICC thereby granting them Test status alongside Ireland as the 11th and 12th nation respectively.

Afghanistan has made rapid strides with their premier leg-spinner Rashid Khan making waves in T20 franchise leagues including IPL. Recently, they beat West Indies in an ODI drawing an away series 1-1.

Afghanistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Shafiq Stanikzai said: "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." Stanikzai thanked the ICC Board members for their support.