The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Afghanistan, scheduled for September in Sri Lanka, has been postponed until 2022 due to “disruption of flight operations in Kabul” after the Taliban seized the power in Afghanistan and increased COVID-19 cases in the island nation.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday (August 23) announced that the ODI series, as part of the ICC ODI Super League, has been postponed until 2022.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) CEO Hamid Shinwari has reportedly revealed that they tried to move the ODI series to Pakistan due to increased COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka but eventually decided to postpone the series, considering the players’ mental health and current situation in Afghanistan.
The PCB said the Pakistan board and ACB have mutually agreed to postpone the three-match ODI series, which was scheduled from September 1-8, and it will be rescheduled for 2022.
The PCB wrote on Twitter: “PCB has accepted ACB’s request to postpone next month’s ODI series due to players’ mental health issues, disruption in flight operations in Kabul, lack of broadcast facilities and increased COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka. Both boards will try to reschedule the series in 2022.”
PCB director international Zakir Khan said that “they understand ACB's challenges and therefore, agreed to reschedule the series for 2022.”
He said in a statement, “The PCB historically enjoys an excellent relationship with the ACB and will do everything to ensure the series is played in 2022 as it is critical for both sides in terms of direct qualification for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023.”
Noteworthy, the commercial flights from Kabul airport are yet to resume and it was reported that the Afghanistan team had been looking to travel to Pakistan by road and fly to Colombo via Dubai, but the logistical challenges increased after Sri Lanka announced a 10-day lockdown last week to curb the spread of COVID-19 following the 3793 new cases and a highest-ever single-day death toll of 187.
The Taliban have reportedly said that they would not interfere with men’s cricket in Afghanistan, given their biggest sporting success of recent years, but women’s cricket future is still unclear.
(With Reuters/ANI Inputs)
