Australia likely to host Afghanistan for one-off Test later this year

Afghanistan look set to travel to Australia this year for the historic Test that was postponed last year due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

According to Cricbuzz, Australia were scheduled to host Afghanistan last summer before the series against India. However, the plan was postponed although their series against India went ahead as originally scheduled.

Last year, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced that the game will be rescheduled for November 2021 while confirming the postponement.

Cricket Australia (CA) is now reportedly on the verge of confirming the Test against Afghanistan, Cricbuzz reported.

According to sources, the match is likely to take place in November in Hobart.

The one-off Test would give the Australian players the opportunity to prepare themselves for the Ashes that is likely to start in December.

“The Test in Perth was huge for us, and everyone back home was waiting for it. It could have been a historic Test. It is like a dream that comes true for any player to be a part of it. I would have considered myself so lucky to play in Australia against Australia, but this pandemic has really affected us.

“Hopefully, things are better, and this year is a huge year for us as a team, as a nation, and as players, and we will try our best to deliver,” Rashid Khan told ESPN earlier this month.

Afghanistan was awarded Test status in 2017 and has done relatively well. Out of six Test matches so far, Afghanistan has won three – one of which was earlier this month against Zimbabwe in the UAE.