The white-ball series between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka scheduled to be played in the UAE from March 13 to 25 is likely to be postponed because of the ongoing military conflict in West Asia, according to ESPNcricinfo.
ESPNcricinfo reported that both the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have agreed the series cannot take place in the UAE given the current situation in the region.
Neither cricket board has issued an official statement, but discussions on possible alternatives are ongoing. However, the report said moving the series to another venue appears unlikely because of logistical challenges.
The series was scheduled to include six white-ball matches, beginning with three T20 internationals in Sharjah on March 13, 15 and 17. The teams were then set to play three one-day internationals in Dubai on March 20, 22 and 25.
The tour was expected to be Afghanistan’s first under the leadership of Ibrahim Zadran, who recently replaced Rashid Khan as captain following Afghanistan’s group-stage exit at the World Cup.
The regional conflict has also disrupted other cricket events and travel plans.
Last week, six matches of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 in Nepal involving Oman, the UAE and the host nation were postponed because of the situation in West Asia.
Travel plans for several teams participating in the men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka have also been affected as airspace closures and restrictions have disrupted flights.
According to ESPNcricinfo, teams from the West Indies and South Africa remained in Kolkata for several days after being eliminated from the tournament before receiving confirmation Sunday that they would depart on Tuesday.
