Afghanistan’s series against Pakistan will happen as scheduled amidst uncertainty in the country after Taliban’s takeover. The three-match ODI series is set to take place in Sri Lanka in September.
The ODI series will take place in Hambantota for the entirety of it, with the first match slated for September 3. The players from both sides will be required to go through a mandatory quarantine period of three days. The Afghanistan team is expected to fly off to Sri Lanka within four days.
“Cricket is doing very well. We are going to the office (ACB). The cricket team is preparing for the Pakistan series in Sri Lanka. It is confirmed. We are committed to sending a team to Sri Lanka as soon as possible.
There is transition going on here in Afghanistan hence there is a vacuum in flight operations and availability is affected. But we will fly out as soon as we find a flight. We have our boys assembled in Kabul and they are preparing for the series.”
The CEO of Afghanistan Cricket Board, Hamid Shinwari revealed to ESPNcricinfo.
The long-term concerns around cricket in the country remain as the Taliban’s approach is not clear yet. But it is important to note that the Afghanistan board was founded in 1997 – during the first Taliban stint in power. Shinwari believes that the game will largely remain unaffected as the Taliban never had any issue with cricket.
Women’s cricket in the country could face more difficulty, and its future could be in serious jeopardy. Afghanistan, who are the only full member cricket country without a proper women’s team, took a major step towards the development of women’s cricket when they announced central contracts for 25 players.
The first Taliban rule in the country had proved to be very regressive and dangerous for women. The infamous military organization has continued to have regressive ideology even in this age.
