The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and the Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub (ADCSH) have signed a five-year "destination support agreement," making Abu Dhabi the official UAE base for all ACB training camps, as well as Afghanistan A and national age-group matches. The agreement runs until 2029.

As part of the arrangement, the ACB and Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) are also exploring the possibility of using UAE venues to host Afghanistan’s senior men's bilateral matches in the future.

The announcement followed discussions between the ACB, ADCSH, and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), where all parties reaffirmed their commitment to expanding opportunities for Afghan cricketers on the global stage. A statement from the ACB highlighted that the agreement also includes support for the board’s global operations and efforts to enhance player development pathways.

Matt Boucher, the chief executive of ADCSH, said, "Our facilities have already welcomed the world's best players, and this agreement strengthens our strong commitment to nurturing global sporting and cricket talent and leveraging its capacity to be a force for societal good. We've loved hosting Afghanistan over the last couple of years and are pleased we can confirm Abu Dhabi as their second home."

ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan said the opportunity to utilise "all the premium facilities available" in Abu Dhabi would be a boost for Afghanistan cricket, especially at the age-group level. Calling the development a "turning point" for Afghanistan cricket, Naseeb said, "The opportunity to now focus on Abu Dhabi as our training base and our home for age-group participation will allow us to elevate Afghanistan's sporting success and build a strong national future for the game of cricket in our country."

Due to the political situation in Afghanistan, the country has never been a regular touring destination for international cricket teams. As a result, the Afghanistan men's team has played its "home" matches at neutral venues, primarily in India—Dehradun, Lucknow, and Greater Noida—as well as in the UAE.

Abu Dhabi, in particular, has already hosted three of Afghanistan’s Test matches—two against Zimbabwe in March 2021 and one against Ireland in February 2024. The team has also played ODIs and T20Is across various venues in India and the UAE. 4o