KABUL (PAN): The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has greeted Afghanistan on receiving the Sharjah Cricket Stadium as its 'home ground' for One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and first-class matches.

The UAE chief cricket patron, who granted the war-hit nation the facility, said: "Bearing in mind the difficulties they have at home, Afghanistan deserve to have a place somewhere where the y can come and feel that they are at home."

Abdul Rahman Bukhatir added: "Here they have good local support and the y can make use of all the practice facilities in Sharjah Stadium, the gymnasium and nets as well as the grounds at Al Dhaid Cricket Village."

The Asian Cricket Council chief executive hailed the announcement. "Afghanistan is not only the team doing the best at present in the developing world of cricket, they are also the team with the most potential."

Syed Ashraful Huq praised Afghanistan's qualification for the World Twenty20 Cup this year, despite having little facilities. The upcoming team narrowly missed out on World Cup 2011 qualification.

In a statement from ACC, Huq said: "Being able to practice and play with frequency at Sharjah, to be able to invite other teams to their new 'home ground' can only help them improve as cricketers."

UAE Cricket Board Administrator Mazhar Khan says: "7,000 Afghan fans are what we have come to expect at every big match featuring Afghanistan in the UAE"