Afghanistan's ODI series against Pakistan has been postponed after a surge in Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka, where the matches were due to be staged.
Afghanistan were scheduled to play a three-match ODI series against their neighbours in the beginning of September and the matches were set to be held in Hambantota, Sri Lanka.
However, the sudden change in leadership in Afghanistan altered plans dramatically. Media reports suggested the Afghan board was looking to send their players to Pakistan by road first and then fly them out to Colombo after travelling to another country.
However, the ground situation in Sri Lanka also changed. Last week, Sri Lanka announced a 10-day lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus after a massive surge in infections and deaths. That proved a huge stumbling block for Afghanistan's travel plans.
The Pakistan Cricket Board came out with statement, saying the series has been postponed keeping in mind the players' mental health and the logistical problems.
"The Pakistan Cricket Board and Afghanistan Cricket Board have mutually agreed to postpone next month’s three-ODI series, which was scheduled 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 PCB statement said.
"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."
Zakir Khan, PCB director, added: “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."
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Afghanistan national team players attend a training session at the Kabul International Cricket Ground on Saturday, August 21, 2021, ahead of their one-day series against Pakistan that is scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka in two weeks. AFP -
Afghanistan players train at the Kabul International Cricket Ground ahead of their ODI series against Pakistan, which will now take place in Sri Lanka early next month. AFP -
Afghanistan players at a training session at the Kabul International Cricket Ground. AFP -
Afghan national team players attend a training session at the Kabul International Cricket Ground ahead of their ODI series against Pakistan. AFP -
Afghanistan are going ahead with their one-day series against Pakistan, scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka in two weeks. AFP -
Afghanistan players train in Kabul on Saturday for the three-match ODI series against Pakistan which will be played in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. AFP -
Afghanistan players attend a training session at the Kabul International Cricket Ground. AFP -
Afghan players train at the Kabul International Cricket Ground. AFP -
Afghanistan players train at the Kabul International Cricket Ground. AFP -
Afghanistan cricketers resumed training after the Taliban's takeover of the country. AFP -
Afghanistan players train ahead of their their one-day series against Pakistan. AFP -
Afghan cricketers train in Kabul. AFP
