In a significant development, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials have reportedly confirmed that Afghanistan will not tour Pakistan for the upcoming T20 tri-series. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is preparing alternative arrangements amid the ongoing military tension between the two countries.
Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are scheduled to tour Pakistan for a T20 tri-series from November 17 to 29. However, rising military tensions between the two countries have created uncertainty over Afghanistan’s participation, with reports suggesting they may reconsider the trip amid the ongoing conflict.
Afghanistan’s participation in doubt as PCB considers alternative options
According to PTI, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to prepare an alternative plan to go ahead with the tri-series as scheduled.
“PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has asked the International Cricket Council to start working on an alternative plan as he wants the tri-series to go ahead,” news agency PTI quoted a source as saying.
Pakistan was scheduled to host a seven-match T20 series between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan from November 17 in Rawalpindi, with the final being held in Lahore on November 29. However, recent deadly clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border have resulted in a large number of casualties.
The Pakistan Army reported killing more than 200 Taliban and other fighters, while losing 23 soldiers and wounding 20. Meanwhile, Afghanistan claimed 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed, with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki saying Kabul had accomplished its objectives and temporarily halted hostilities.
PCB invites Sri Lanka for three T20 matches before tri-series
The Pakistan Cricket Board has invited Sri Lanka to play three T20 Internationals from November 11 to 15 ahead of the tri-series between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Notably, the PCB and the Sri Lankan Cricket Board are reportedly in discussions to arrange a three-match T20 series in Colombo from January 1 to 10.
If the series goes ahead in January, it could create a clash with Cricket Australia, which has already signed several Pakistani players for the Big Bash League to be held in December and January.
Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Hasan Khan, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali signed contracts with BBL franchises. Notably, Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen are set to make their Big Bash debut during the tournament.
“Obviously, if the series with Sri Lanka goes through as a final, then either the selectors will play without these players or the PCB will have to reconsider the duration of their NOCs, which would mean a disagreement with Cricket Australia,” the source said.
Cricket Australia contacts PCB after NOC suspension for players
Following the recent decision of the PCB to suspend all NOCs for players playing in different leagues, Cricket Australia (CA) has reached out to resolve the issue. CA officials reportedly highlighted that their franchise had already invested millions in the promotion campaign of Pakistani players for the BBL.
Meanwhile, the Desert Vipers franchise in the Emirates International League has signed three Pakistani players for the upcoming season.
Pakistan’s only major white-ball series before the ICC World T20 Cup will be in January, when Australia tours the country to play three ODIs and three T20 Internationals.
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