India’s limited-over series against Afghanistan doubtful due to scheduling issues- Report

India and Afghanistan last played in the Asia Cup 2022.

India and Afghanistan last played in the Asia Cup 2022 | GettyIndia is to host Afghanistan team for a white-ball series, but it seems that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not able to find some space for the series in the jam-packed schedule of the Indian team.

Cricbuzz reported that the BCCI is finding it difficult to slot the Afghanistan series in between the World Test Championship final (from June 7 to 12) and a full-fledged series against the West Indies in the Caribbean from July 12 to August 13 involving 2 Tests, 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is.

With the proposed Asia Cup also near finalization in September, the Indian board doesn’t want the Men in Blue to be burdened with too much cricket which eats into their rest period ahead of the ODI World Cup at home.

Another possible reason might be that the BCCI's broadcast deal with Disney Star has ended and the new tender has not come out yet. There is always a possibility of an interim arrangement but whether the board will get the right price ahead of a full-fledged tender for the bilateral series is a big question.  

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) president Mirwais Ashraf is currently in India, having come here on the invitation of the BCCI for the final of the IPL 2023.

Also, a meeting has been scheduled of the ACC on the sidelines of the summit clash of IPL 16, giving the BCCI and the ACB opportunity to engage in talks over this short bilateral series.

Also, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has sent a tentative schedule for the series in the Caribbean but the BCCI is yet to sign off. However, the BCCI and CWI officials will meet during the WTC final in London and the schedule could be released after that.

(Cricbuzz inputs)   

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 25 May, 2023

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