Afghanistan and Ireland have been voted in as full members of the International Cricket Council, meaning they can play Test matches against the world’s elite countries.
The ICC announced the decision on Thursday following a unanimous vote at a full council meeting.
There are 12 full members. Afghanistan and Ireland are the first to receive Test status since Bangladesh in 2000.
ICC chief executive David Richardson said the countries deserved their elevated status because of “their dedication to improving performance both off and on the field resulting in the significant development and growth of cricket in their respective countries”.
Ireland and Afghanistan have been playing as associate members since 1993 and 2013, respectively.
“For a nation like Afghanistan, it is a huge and remarkable achievement,” said Shafiq Stanikzai, chief executive of the Afghanistan Cricket Board.
“Afghanistan cricket has gone from strength to strength and we dared to dream that this would happen and today it has become a reality.”
While Afghanistan gained ODI status only in 2011 and has appeared in one Cricket World Cup (in 2015), Ireland has enjoyed more success at the limited-overs format, appearing in the last three World Cups and beating Pakistan and England in that time.
Warren Deutrom, chief executive of Cricket Ireland, said the vote was a “reflection not just of our past achievements but of our potential to grow our great game.”
The ICC said it has also unanimously agreed to a new financial model to give greater equality in the distribution of the governing body’s income.
For the cycle 2016-2023, the Board of Control for Cricket in India will receive $US405 million ($A536 million) across the eight-year cycle, the England and Wales Cricket Board will get $US139 million, Zimbabwe Cricket gets $US94 million and the seven other existing full members get $US128 million each.
sameer afg
Guest
how much money will afghanistan recieve ???
ThugbyFan
Guest
It would be "brown undies time" if an Afgan bowler "bombs" the opposing batsman. LoL
ThugbyFan
Guest
I wonder if the England ODI captain E.Morgan now declares that he really is an Irishman. LoL
Glenn Mitchell
Expert
They will play 'home' matches in UAE & northern India.
Peebo
Guest
No problem with Ireland having softened citizenship rules / qualification criteria. Whatever it takes to make them competitive is desirable. And besides, they've lost a lot of good players to England over the years, so its swings and roundabouts.
Brian
Guest
UAE one assumes although they might also consider Iran or Bangladesh
JimmyB
Guest
Congratulations to both countries and their fans. Out of curiosity, where will Afghanistan play their home matches?
Really
Guest
As much a I love seeing new countries enter test cricket, making sure they play all nations regularly is important. In 17 years of being a test nations Bangladesh has only played Australia 4 times, compared to 18 tests against Sri Lanka. As a sport built on stats, countries shouldn't be able to continually cash in on cheap runs and wickets....
Brian
Guest
THat could work well and even allow Ireland in some periods to build a rivalry with England
Jason Rebelo
Roar Pro
Congratulations to the both of them! I hope CA extends an offer to both teams to come tour here as soon as possible. I think also that instead of playing against 2nd XI county teams when going to England, we could play a 2-3 test series against Ireland every time we go for the Ashes, that'd be much better prep, and give Ireland some needed exposure! Same as for when we tour the UAE, tests against Afghanistan as opposed to a nothing warmup game.
BurgyGreen
Guest
This is great news. As a young cricket fan, it will be brilliant to witness the birth of two Test nations. Hopefully they can set up some tours sooner rather than later.
spruce moose
Guest
Incredible, wonderful news. If anyone at the turn of the century told you that Afghanistan would be a test playing nation, you'd have called up the asylum to have them picked up. Knowing the Irish's generous citizenship rules, we now may seem some fringe NZ, Australian players with Irish grandparents suddenly finding a new path to test matches too.