Afghanistan is facing a cloud of uncertainty ever since the USA pulled out its troops from the country and the Taliban took over capital Kabul and have become the sole power. 

With such turmoil in the country, questions have been raised on whether the Afghanistan cricket team will be ready to play the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021 that is to be played in UAE and Oman in October-November this year. 

Afghanistan cricket team’s media manager Hikmat Hassan has clarified that the team will participate in the tournament and will also go ahead with the tri-series against Australia and West Indies ahead of the showpiece event. 

"Yes, we will play in the T20 World Cup. The preparations are on and the available players will be back to training in Kabul in the next few days. We are looking for a venue for the tri-series involving Australia and West Indies and that will be the best preparation for the showpiece event. We are speaking to some countries like Sri Lanka and also I think Malaysia. Let's see how that pans out,” Hikmat Hassan told ANI. 

"We are already set to play Pakistan in Hambantota and that series is also on. Also, we are planning to go ahead with the domestic T20 tournament which shall boost preparations for the players ahead of the T20 World Cup," Hassan said.

Read also: T20 World Cup 2021 fixtures announced; India-Pakistan clash on October 24

Asked about Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi as they are not in the country presently, he said: "We are always there to help our players and their families. We will do whatever is possible for them. Things are not affected much in Kabul, we are already back in the office, so there is nothing to worry about."

Afghanistan is placed in Group 2 in Super 12 of the ICC T20 World Cup. They will face India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and the two qualifiers from Round 1.

The tournament will begin on 17 October. Afghanistan will face the table topper of Group B of Round 1 on 25 October to kickstart its campaign.  

(ANI inputs)