The Narendra Modi-led Indian government has given the go-ahead for a $1 million (Dh3.6m) grant to be given to Afghanistan in order to construct a new cricket stadium in the Kandahar province.
The money will be distributed from the Indian government's Small Development Project Scheme and the stadium is planned to be built in Aino Mina of Kandahar city, on land donated to the Afghanistan Cricket Board in 2012.
Sharjah has hosted Aghanistan cricket since 2010 and it is not yet know whether they will still use the UAE as their home venue once completion has been complete in Kandahar.
ACB chief executive officer, Dr Noor Murad, thanked the Indian government for the funding.
"The construction of this stadium will be a major boost to the development of cricket in the southern region as well as in the whole country," he said. "The addition of this facility will allow greater developments in terms of coaching and performance as well as regular competitions."
The announcement of the grant included the following statement: "We [India] have recognised that sports, including cricket and football, have united the country and enthused the youth more than anything else.
"We hope that this new facility, and the various initiatives taken by ACB, will further popularise cricket and bring greater glory to the nation."
