Ireland and Afghanistan Full ICC Member Explained: June 2017, the Journey from Associates to Test Cricket
Ireland and Afghanistan received ICC Full Member (Test) status on June 22, 2017 — becoming the 11th and 12th Test-playing nations. Afghanistan's journey from refugee cricket in Pakistan (1990s), their 2014 World T20 qualifier breakthrough, and Ireland's stunning 2011 World Cup wins over England and Pakistan. How both nations reached Test cricket and what it means for global cricket.
On June 22, 2017, the ICC (International Cricket Council) granted Full Member status to both Ireland and Afghanistan simultaneously — making them the 11th and 12th Test-playing nations in history. Ireland's first Test was vs Pakistan at Malahide, Dublin (May 11-14, 2018). Afghanistan's first Test was vs India at Bengaluru (June 14-18, 2018). Both nations' journeys to Test status are among cricket's most remarkable stories.
Afghanistan's Journey: From Refugee Cricket to Test Status
Afghanistan cricket's origin and development: (1) Origins in refugee camps: Afghanistan's cricket development began in the 1990s — Afghan refugees in Pakistan played cricket in the refugee camps (Peshawar, Quetta) and learned the game from their Pakistani hosts. The Afghan refugee community brought cricket back to Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban in 2001; (2) Early development (2001-2009): Afghanistan's national team was formed in 2001. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) was established, initially under modest conditions. The ICC recognised the ACB and provided development support; (3) The 2010 World Twenty20 Qualifier breakthrough: Afghanistan qualified for the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 (the flagship T20 tournament) — the first major global event qualification. They beat South Africa's A-team and other Associate nations; (4) 2014 ICC World Twenty20: Afghanistan made their first ICC World Twenty20 appearance (main event, Bangladesh 2014) — beating Bangladesh in the super-10 stage. This result against a Full Member nation was a significant milestone; (5) ODI status: Afghanistan was granted ODI status (One Day International playing rights) in 2009. They played in the 2015 Cricket World Cup — beating Scotland and giving New Zealand and Sri Lanka hard games; (6) The ICC T20 dominance: Afghanistan developed exceptional T20 talent — Mohammad Nabi (all-rounder), Rashid Khan (leg-spinner — arguably the world's best T20 bowler 2018-present), and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (offspinner). Rashid and Mujeeb played IPL, BBL, CPL, and PSL alongside their national duties.
Ireland's Journey: World Cup Giant-Killings to Test Status
Ireland cricket's path to Test status: (1) Ireland's cricket history: Ireland has a long cricket history (dating to the 1800s) as an Associate member of the ICC. Cricket is a minor sport in Ireland compared to Gaelic football, hurling, and soccer; (2) The 2007 Cricket World Cup: Ireland vs Pakistan (Kingston, Jamaica, March 17, 2007). Ireland chased 132 to win in the 45th over — beating Pakistan (a Full Member nation ranked 4th globally). This was one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history. The match became famous for Trent Johnston's batting and Kevin O'Brien's contributions; (3) The 2011 Cricket World Cup: Ireland vs England (Bengaluru, March 2, 2011 — 49 overs, D/L match). England scored 327/8. Ireland chased 329 in 49.1 overs — 329/7. Kevin O'Brien scored 113 off 63 balls — the fastest World Cup century at the time (63 balls, record stood until 2015). Ireland beat England at a World Cup; (4) Kevin O'Brien's century: O'Brien's 113 came when Ireland were 111/5 (needing 218 more off approximately 25 overs). He and Alex Cusack added 162 for the 6th wicket in 14.4 overs — the rescue that won Ireland the match. The innings was described by England's players as beyond their belief; (5) After 2011: Ireland continued developing — qualifying for the 2015 Cricket World Cup, where they beat Zimbabwe and UAE. By 2017, the ICC's governance restructure included both Ireland and Afghanistan as Full Members.
Impact on Global Cricket
What Ireland and Afghanistan's Full Member status means: (1) Rashid Khan's global impact: Rashid Khan (born September 20, 1998, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan) has become one of cricket's most globally recognised players. He is a leg-spin bowler with extraordinary variation — googly, flipper, and the ability to generate unexpected pace off the pitch. In T20I cricket, his economy rate (under 6 per over) is elite. He plays in IPL (Gujarat Titans), BBL, CPL, SA20, and ILT20 — making him Afghanistan's most commercially successful cricketer and one of the 5 most recognisable cricketers globally; (2) Ireland's cricket economics: Ireland's Full Member status came with ICC funding — approximately USD 2.5-4 million per year (in the ICC distribution cycle 2023-2027). This allowed Cricket Ireland to professionalize their central contracts. Players like Paul Stirling (opening batsman), Lorcan Tucker (wicketkeeper), and Harry Tector now have full-time cricket contracts; (3) The development model: Ireland and Afghanistan demonstrate that cricket can grow rapidly in non-traditional countries given: structured development programs, ICC support, overseas exposure (many Irish cricketers played county cricket; many Afghans play franchise T20 globally), and competitive international fixtures.
Frequently asked questions
When did Ireland and Afghanistan become Test nations?
Ireland and Afghanistan were both granted ICC Full Member (Test) status on June 22, 2017, simultaneously — becoming the 11th and 12th Test-playing nations. Ireland's first Test match was vs Pakistan at Malahide, Dublin (May 11-14, 2018). Afghanistan's first Test was vs India at Bengaluru (June 14-18, 2018). The grants came after restructuring of ICC governance that reduced the dominance of the 'Big Three' (India, England, Australia) and opened the pathway for strongly performing Associates to achieve Full Member status.
Who is Rashid Khan in cricket?
Rashid Khan (born September 20, 1998, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan) is Afghanistan's most famous cricketer and one of the world's best T20 bowlers. He is a leg-spin bowler who combines traditional wrist-spin (leg break, googly, flipper) with unusual pace for a spinner — he can bowl at 85-90 km/h compared to the typical spin bowler's 65-75 km/h. In T20I cricket, his career economy rate is under 6.00 per over across hundreds of matches — elite by any measure. He plays in IPL (Gujarat Titans, where he is a key player and captain), BBL, CPL, PSL, SA20, and ILT20 globally. He is captain of Afghanistan's national team.
What was Kevin O'Brien's famous innings in the 2011 World Cup?
Kevin O'Brien (Ireland) scored 113 off 63 balls vs England at the 2011 Cricket World Cup (Bengaluru, India, March 2, 2011). Ireland needed 329 to win — England had scored 327/8. When O'Brien came to bat, Ireland were 111/5, needing 218 more off approximately 25 overs. He scored 113 off 63 balls (the fastest World Cup century at the time, breaking Jayasuriya's record), adding 162 for the 6th wicket with Alex Cusack in 14.4 overs. Ireland won the match by 3 wickets in 49.1 overs — one of the most dramatic World Cup upsets. O'Brien's 63-ball century stood as the fastest in World Cup history until AB de Villiers (44 balls) and others surpassed it in 2015.