Sports

Afghanistan to play Pakistan in ODI series in Sri Lanka

Afghanistan and Pakistan will play three ODIs in Sri Lanka next month, it was announced on Monday.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said the schedule was confirmed after consultation with Pakistan. “The three ODI matches are scheduled for August 22nd, 24th, and 26th, and will take place in two separate venues in Sri Lanka,” the ACB said in a statement.

The first two matches are scheduled to be held in Hambantota, with the third and final match to be played in Colombo.

This will be the first bilateral series between Pakistan and Afghanistan as the two countries have only played four ODIs in the past.

The first match in Sharjah in 2012 was Afghanistan’s first ODI against a test-playing nation while the other three meetings were in the Asia Cup (twice) and at the 2019 World Cup.

ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf meanwhile said he hopes the series will help his team prepare for the Asia Cup and this year’s World Cup.

The Asia Cup will be jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka from August 30-September 17 while India will host the World Cup from October 5-November 19.