Afghanistan-Pakistan ODI series in doubts after Taliban takeover

Everything has been disrupted in Afghanistan ever since the Taliban has taken over the nation. People of the country have been pleading for mercy and are leaving the homeland with nowhere to go. The world of cricket also got disturbed in this regard where officials have been trying to find out if Afghanistan cricketers are safe in their country or not.

The Sri Lanka Cricket stated on Monday that they are moving up with the preparations of hosting ODI matches between Afghanistan and Pakistan. In the latest turn of events, no official was able to guarantee whether now the ODI series would be able to take place or not since the country is facing a lot. Afghanistan are also scheduled to ply their trade in the upcoming T20 WC in the UAE which is starting from October but even that stands in doubt as of now.

Talking about the players of the nation, star spinner Rashid Khan and all-rounder Mohammad Nabi are currently plying their trades in the Hundred in England. Both of them made pleas for peace in their nation before Taliban took over their homeland. However, the other players of Afghanistan are still in their country only.

“Efforts are being made to check their whereabouts,” said an international cricket official on the conditions of anonymity.

The current situation in Kabul has put the Afghanistan-Pakistan series in doubt, reckons SLC secretary

SLC stated that they were still hoping to conduct matches between Pakistan and Afghanistan for three ODIs in an empty stadium in Hambantota. The series was originally scheduled to take place in the UAE but had to be shifted to Sri Lanka to avoid the clash with the remaining edition of IPL 2021.

“We have told them that we are ready to host the tournament. All the preparations are underway. But, given the current situation in Kabul, we don’t know if they will be able to go ahead. We are awaiting a response from them,” stated SLC secretary Mohan de Silva as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

It remains to be seen what next announcements are made from the cricketers of Afghanistan.