Pakistan, July 3 -- The agreement signed in Jeddah between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation is more than another ceremonial handshake. Under the arrangement, Pakistan is to help build a modern cricket stadium in Jeddah, with facilities planned according to ICC standards and cooperation promised in infrastructure development, technical expertise, stadium planning and operations.

That is no small matter. Long before Afghanistan became one of the most compelling stories in world cricket, its players found space, structure and competition through Pakistan. Grounds, domestic fixtures, coaching pathways and the National Cricket Academy helped sharpen a generation that would later carry Afghan cricket to the g...