The upcoming ODI series between Afghanistan and Pakistan is set to be held as per schedule from September 3 in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota.
Although, no official confirmation has been made on the series but Pakistan has issued visas to Afghanistan players, which removes doubts over the uncertainty on the series.
The visas have been issued to the Afghan cricketers to ensure they reach the island nation via Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) following the ban on commercial flights from Kabul after the ongoing political crisis in Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Fawad Chaudhry tweeted: “Pakistan has issued visas to the Afghan cricket team, we hope and pray that the Afghan cricket team will bring smiles on the faces of its people.”
Earlier, the series was scheduled to be played in Afghanistan however, after Taliban took over the entire nation, the matches were not possible in the war-torn nation.
As a result, both the boards — Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) decided to host the series in Sri Lanka as it is a neutral venue.
Although, the PCB was willing to host the series however, the ACB was reluctant for it.
After the development, the Afghanistan cricket team will take a road trip to Pakistan from where they will fly to the UAE and finally a flight to Colombo.
The first ODI will be played on September 1, 2021, at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota. The 2nd ODI encounter will be played on September 3 at the same venue. The ODI series will conclude with the final ODI game on September 5, 2021, which will also be hosted at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium.
The series is a part of the Future Tour Programs (FTP) of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
All the three matches of the series will be played in Hambantota.