Association of Cricket Officials Issue 29 | Page 16

Afghanistan and Ireland Achieve Test Status For the first time since Bangladesh in 2000, the ICC has granted Test status to both Afghanistan and Ireland, making them the 11th and 12th countries respectively to be afforded the standing. In the 12 years since making their ODI debut, Ireland shocked Pakistan in 2007 and then defeated both England and the West Indies in two subsequent World Cups. It has only taken Afghanistan eight years since gaining ODI status, after climbing from World Cricket League Division Five with three back-to-back promotions. They have since beaten Zimbabwe across both limited overs formats and successfully defended 123 against the eventual winners, West Indies, at the 2016 World T20. 16 email us at [email protected] contact us on 0121 446 2710