Pakistan-Afghanistan ODI series postponed until next year

Karachi - The series was scheduled to take place in Hambantota, Sri Lanka.

Afghanistan's three-match ODI series against Pakistan has been postponed due to the "disruption of flight operations in Kabul", the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Tuesday.

The apex body of cricket in Pakistan said that it had come to a mutual agreement with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to postpone next month’s three-ODI series, which was earlier scheduled to take place in Hambantota, Sri Lanka.

The two boards have agreed that the series, which was planned from September 1-8, will be rescheduled for 2022.

The ACB had contacted the PCB on Monday evening, requesting to postpone the series for 2022 citing disruption of flight operations in Kabul, increased Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka, mental health of their players, and non-availability of broadcast equipment.

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PCB Director International Zakir Khan: “We have worked very closely with the Afghanistan Cricket Board to make this series happen and were keen to play them in the inaugural bilateral series, but we understand their challenges and have, therefore, agreed to reschedule the series for 2022.

“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 the sides in terms of direct qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.”

• Pakistan