Afghanistan, Pakistan ODI series postponed

The upcoming three-match One-day International (ODI) series between Afghanistan and Pakistan has been postponed.

According to Sportstar, the decision was taken to ensure that the mental health of players was not affected.

“After much deliberation, we have mutually decided to postpone the tournament, keeping the conditions and the mental health of the players in mind,” ACB CEO Hamid Shinwari told Sportstar on Monday.

Earlier in the day, ESPNcricinfo had reported that the series was shifted to Pakistan, from Sri Lanka, due to logistical issues.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board and the Sri Lanka Cricket Board had supported us fully in terms of helping us with hosting the series, but in the current scenario, it is not possible to hold the series,” he added.

Shinwari is hopeful that the series, which is part of the 2023 World Cup Super League, will take place before the mega event.

“We have kept ICC in the loop and we will look at a possible date sometime before the 2023 World Cup,” he concluded.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), later, also confirmed the postponement of the series.

“PCB has accepted ACB's request to postpone next month’s ODI series due to players’ mental health issues, disruption in flight operations in Kabul, lack of broadcast facilities and increased Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka. Both boards will try to reschedule the series in 2022,” the board said in a social media post.