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Afghanistan-Sri Lanka Cricket Series Postponed Indefinitely Amid West Asia Conflict

The Afghanistan-Sri Lanka white-ball cricket series scheduled in the UAE has been postponed indefinitely due to the escalating military conflict in West Asia. Neither cricket board has issued an official statement, but both have agreed the series cannot proceed in the UAE as planned. The conflict has also disrupted the travel plans of other cricket teams, including West Indies and South Africa, who were stranded in Kolkata after the T20 World Cup. The series was significant as it marked Afghanistan's first assignment under new captain Ibrahim Zadran.

Key Points: Afghanistan-Sri Lanka Series Postponed Over West Asia Conflict

  • Series scheduled for UAE from March 13-25 postponed
  • Conflict in West Asia causes airspace closures and travel disruptions
  • Series was to be Afghanistan's first under new captain Ibrahim Zadran
  • West Indies and South Africa teams also stranded in Kolkata
  • Boards agree series cannot proceed in UAE
2 min read

Afghanistan-Sri Lanka white-ball series likely to be postponed indefinitely as West Asia conflict deepens

The Afghanistan-Sri Lanka white-ball series in UAE is postponed indefinitely due to escalating West Asia conflict, disrupting multiple teams' travel.

"the bilateral series is unlikely to be shifted elsewhere due to logistical challenges - ESPNcricinfo"

New Delhi, March 9

The Afghanistan-Sri Lanka white-ball series, scheduled in the UAE from March 13-25, is likely to be postponed indefinitely due to escalating military conflict in West Asia.

According to ESPNcricinfo, neither Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) nor Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has issued an official statement regarding this, but both boards have agreed that the series cannot take place in the UAE.

While both boards are still discussing alternatives, the bilateral series is unlikely to be shifted elsewhere due to logistical challenges.

The Afghanistan-Sri Lanka white-ball series was set to kick off on March 13 with three T20Is in Sharjah, followed by three ODIs in Dubai.

The series was set to be Afghanistan's first assignment under Ibrahim Zadran's leadership, with the opener taking over the reins from veteran spinner Rashid Khan after a group-stage exit in the recently concluded T20 World Cup.

The travel plans of several teams that were in India and Sri Lanka for the men's T20 World Cup have also been disrupted owing to airspaces being closed or limitations in West Asia.

The West Indies and South Africa cricket teams, despite their exit from the T20 WC, are stuck in Kolkata. South Africa lost to New Zealand in the semi-finals on March 4, while the West Indies were eliminated after a five-wicket defeat to India in the Super Eights on March 1.

Due to airspace closures in West Asia, their travel plans were disrupted, but they've received clarity on their departure, and they will be flying out on Tuesday.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The logistical nightmare this creates is huge. Teams stuck in Kolkata, airspaces closed... it shows how interconnected global events are. Cricket boards need better contingency plans for such geopolitical crises.
P
Priyanka N
Feel so bad for the Afghan team. They were looking forward to a fresh start under new leadership. The UAE has been such a reliable neutral venue, but even that's not safe now. The world is becoming a very tense place.
V
Vikram M
Postponing is the only sensible decision. But I have a question for the boards: why not explore hosting it in India? We have the infrastructure and it's safe. Could be a good solution, no?
A
Aman W
The real story is how many teams got stranded! West Indies and South Africa stuck in Kolkata after the World Cup... must be so frustrating for the players just wanting to go home. Glad they got clarity on departure.
K
Karthik V
While the postponement is understandable, the communication seems poor. "Likely to be postponed" but no official statement? Fans buy tickets, make plans. SLC and ACB should be more prompt and transparent. Just my two cents.

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