After receiving full membership from the International Cricket Council, the Afghanistan Cricket (ACB) said it will build new cricket grounds in Balkh, Herat, Kabul and Bamiyan provinces in order to secure its status. 
 
“Land has been given to the ACB in Kabul and in the near future we will receive more land; it is a big achievement for us and we will build an international stadium in Kabul and invest millions of dollars,” the ACB chairman Atif Mashal said.
 
Some residents welcomed the move by the cricket board. 
 
“The building of a cricket ground in Balkh is important because there are many fans but we do not have sufficient cricket pitches,” said Hamidullah, a resident of Balkh.
 
“We play cricket on a bad pitch. Our problem will be solved if more grounds are built in Kabul,” said Zubair Ahmad, a resident of Kabul.
 
“The construction of cricket grounds in Balkh, Bamiyan and Herat is a good step. It will enable the young generation to explore their talents,” said Nawidullah, a resident of Kabul.
 
Meanwhile, Mashal criticized the interference of a number of political figures and government officials in the selection of players for national and local teams.
 
“I would consider it as an insult and it is against my principles if someone wants to meddle - to include their relatives or friends in the national team. Initially, I will not name anyone, but today I want to tell government that I will disclose the name/s of those who try to interfere (in the cricket board’s activities),” Mashal added.