Honoured to host Afghanistan's maiden Test, says PM Modi

The Indian Prime Minister also lauded the Afghan youngsters who had trumped difficult circumstances en route to this marquee moment.

It is also learnt that Union Sports and Youth Affairs minister Rajyavardhan Rathore and Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah will be present at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, congratulated Afghanistan for its Test debut. In a letter addressed to the 12th Test playing nation, Modi expressed his gratitude.

"It is a matter of great pride and immense pleasure that Afghanistan has chosen to play its maiden Test match with India,"  Modi wrote.

 

The Indian Prime Minister also lauded the Afghan youngsters who had trumped difficult circumstances en route to this marquee moment. “Today, cricket is a unifying force for the people of Afghanistan. India takes pride in being shoulder-to-shoulder with Afghanistan in this journey. It is an honour for India to host the Afghan national team at home ground in Greater Noida and Dehradun,” Modi has written in the letter.

It is also learnt that Union Sports and Youth Affairs minister Rajyavardhan Rathore and Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah will be present at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday for the match, which begins at 9.30 am.

Earlier in the day, in a chat with Sportstar , Afghanistan captain, Asghar Stanikzai also said that the president of the country, Ashraf Ghani, may come down to Bengaluru if the match goes on till the fourth day.