The ODI series between Australia and Afghanistan that was slated to be played in India has now been postponed by boards of both countries on Sunday (15 August) which means Australian and Afghanistani players will be available for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL 2021) in UAE.
The three-ODI series was scheduled to be played ahead of the T20 World Cup 2021 in India but since the ICC tournament was relocated to UAE owing to the COVID-19 situation in India, the series is postponed.
“The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) “and Cricket Australia agreed to postpone the tour given the complexities of travel, quarantine periods, and finding a suitable location for the matches given the relocation of the T20 World Cup to the UAE,” the boards said in a statement.
The 14th edition of IPL which was being held in India earlier this year had to be suspended mid-way as players and members of support staff had tested positive for COVID-19 inside their respective bio-bubbles.
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Since the league was shifted to UAE and the remaining matches will be played from September 19 to October 15, Cricket Australia will be granting permission to their players who wish to take part in the IPL to fulfill their commitments.
“The IPL was suspended indefinitely in May after several players and backroom staff tested positive for COVID-19. The remaining matches will now be played in the UAE from Sept. 19 to Oct. 15. Despite the proximity of the tournament to the T20 World Cup, Cricket Australia said it would grant permission for their players to take part and fulfill their lucrative contracts.
No Objection Certificates will be granted to Australian players wishing to take part in the remaining upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) matches to be played in the UAE,” Cricket Australia said.
While Australian pacer Pat Cummins had made it clear that he'll miss the second phase of IPL in UAE due to the birth of his first child, other players like David Warner and Steve Smith are now available to take part in IPL 2021.
After the conclusion of IPL on October 15, the T20 World Cup will take place in the UAE and Oman from October 17 to November 14.
(With Reuters Inputs)
