The three-match One-Day International series between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which was scheduled to begin on September 3, has been delayed after both sides agreed to a deal. The main cause was the challenges involved. The 3 matches were scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka, but owing to the government’s unexpected 10-day national lockdown, as well as the current Afghan Taliban issue, both nations have decided to postpone them until next year. Here is AFG vs PAK 3 Match ODI Series Postponed.
AFG vs PAK 3 Match ODI Series Postponed
Airplanes are not taking off from Kabul as a result of the Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan. Originally, it was planned for the Afghan cricketers to go by road to Pakistan before boarding a flight to Sri Lanka. However, owing to COVID difficulties, this appears to be impossible at this time.
The three-match ODI series was also intended to be conducted in Pakistan, according to Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) CEO Hamid Shinwari, but due to the unfavorable circumstances in Afghanistan, both bodies had to make a difficult decision.
We are thankful to Pakistan for all the support they offered: Shinwari
“Until this evening we had principally agreed to play the series in Pakistan and, we are thankful to Pakistan for all the support they offered,” Shinwari said.
“But then considering all the situations, especially our players’ mental readiness, we found that that they are not prepared. We needed a camp and, we needed time for them to acclimatize to the weather and conditions.”
Shinwari went on to say that because of the time spent inputting the series together in Sri Lanka, it would be tough to play a series in Pakistan lacking optimal gameplay.“But with all the delay in making efforts to play in Sri Lanka, we have lost enough time and, now making a trip to Pakistan without preparation in such a short time isn’t working for our players. Pakistan is a good team and, playing them at home you need to be fully prepared which, unfortunately, we are not so, we have decided to postpone it indefinitely.”
Previously, Afghanistan’s players gathered in Kabul to prepare for the series, while Pakistan announced their team late, excluding four experienced players who wished to relax from the ODI matches.
