Virender Sehwag Congratulates Ireland, Afghanistan On Getting Test Status
Jun 23, 2017 at 10:45 AM
22nd June 2017 will go down as a historic date in the rich legacy of this beautiful sport. Finally, after a span of 17 long years, we are bound to have two new Test members, in the form of Afghanistan and Ireland. In a meeting conducted by the ICC at the Oval in London on Thursday, it was decided that the two nations had displayed any improvement and were fit to be given a Test status.
This date will mark a historic occasion in both nations, that have already impressed in global events in a brief span. Bangladesh was the last side to gain the Test nation playing status way back in 2000 and now the two sides are the latest entrants in that elite list. Apart from gaining Test status, Ireland and Afghanistan are also now Full Members of the ICC.
Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag, like any other cricket buff, was enthralled by the news and took to Twitter in order to congratulate fans of the two sides.
“Heartiest congratulations to Ireland and Afghanistan on test status. Really happy for both the countries,” tweeted Sehwag.
Heartiest congratulations to Ireland and Afghanistan on test status. Really happy for both the countries.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 22, 2017
Warren Deutrom, chief executive of Cricket Ireland was delighted by the news and hailed the side for improving so quickly.
“Test cricket is the pinnacle, it’s the best. Not being able to play Tests was the reason cited by some players, who weren’t able to achieve that career fulfilment with Ireland, as the reason they went to England.” “That reason is now removed, we can play Tests ourselves. Who can say for certain that players won’t leave in the future, but that can’t be the reason for it now.”