Afghanistan and Ireland are the two new members awarded as the test match status by International Cricket Council (ICC) on 22nd June 2017 thereby expanding the number of elite level nations for the first time in 17 years.
Both nations were confirmed as Full Members of the ICC after an unanimous vote at the ICC Full Council meeting at the Oval.
BREAKING: @ACBofficials and @Irelandcricket confirmed as Full Members after a unanimous vote at ICC Full Council meeting.
More to follow… pic.twitter.com/HXCw2HwDAW
— ICC (@ICC) June 22, 2017
Ireland having played their first 50-over World Cup in 2007 and immediately making an impact by beating Pakistan, Ireland have since participated in every ICC event, causing a few upsets along the way.
Today the @ICC announced our elevation to highest level in the international game #IrelandFullMember #Test https://t.co/9r0gILpQXo pic.twitter.com/XkOGEOhtOU
— Cricket Ireland (@Irelandcricket) June 22, 2017
Afghanistan, on the other hand, have grown tremendously since they received their One-Day status in 2011. Having failed to reach the World Cup the same year, the Asian side has made giant steps in ODIs and Twenty20 cricket. They qualified for the 2015 World Cup and won their first game in the mega event by beating Scotland.
Massive thank you to everyone who has played their part in making the dream of Full Membership of @ICC a reality.
— Afghan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) June 22, 2017
The number of countries eligible for playing Test cricket has now gone up to 12 from 10. The last country to have been given this status was Bangladesh way back in the year 2000.
Let us see when each and every team got the Test match status.
1. Australia and England (1877)
The first ever test match was played between Australia vs England in Melbourne Australia which Australia won by 45 runs.
2. South Africa (1889)
South Africa got the test match status in 1889 and they played their first ever test match against England. The match was played at Port Elizabeth, South Africa which England won by 8 wickets.
3. West Indies (1928)
West Indies played their first ever test match against England in Lord's London and England defeated them easily by an innings and 58 runs.
4. New Zealand (1930)
New Zealand played their first Test Match against England in Lancaster Park, Christchurch in New Zealand where England defeated them by 8 wickets.
5. India (1932)
India started their test career against England at Lord's London where they got defeated against strong English side by 158 runs.
6. Pakistan (1952)
After divided from India, Pakistan got their test status in 1952. First ever test match for Pakistan was against India in 1952 at Feroz Shah Kotla Delhi, where India beaten them easily with an innings and 70 runs.
7. Sri Lanka (1982)
Sri Lanka got their test match status in 1982 and they played the first test match against England in P Saravanamuttu Stadium Colombo where England defeated them by 7 wickets.
8. Zimbabwe (1992)
Zimbabwe got their test match status in 1992 and they played their first test match against India at Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is the second team after Australia who has not lost their inaugural test match. The match was drawn.
9. Bangladesh (2000)
Bangladesh played their debut test match against their neighbors India at Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka in 2000. Bangladesh fought well but India were too strong for them and got defeated by 9 wickets.
We congratulate Afghanistan and Ireland Cricket Team for getting Test match status; their hard work paid off.
