Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka White-Ball Series in UAE Likely to Be Delayed

The planned Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka white-ball series in the United Arab Emirates is expected to be postponed indefinitely as rising instability in West Asia continues to disrupt international cricket schedules.

The six-match bilateral series was originally scheduled to take place from March 13 to March 25, featuring three T20 Internationals followed by three One Day Internationals.

Security Concerns Behind Possible Postponement

Although no official confirmation has been released by either the Afghanistan Cricket Board or Sri Lanka Cricket, reports suggest that both boards have mutually acknowledged that hosting the series in the UAE is not feasible under the current circumstances.

The ongoing regional crisis has raised safety concerns and complicated travel arrangements, prompting officials to reconsider proceeding with the fixtures as planned. Discussions between the two boards are still ongoing, but shifting the series to another country appears unlikely due to tight scheduling and logistical hurdles.

Planned Match Schedule in UAE

Under the original plan, the series was set to begin with the T20I leg in Sharjah. The three matches were scheduled for March 13, 15 and 17.

After the shortest format fixtures, the teams were expected to move to Dubai for the ODI series, which was scheduled for March 20, 22 and 25.

The contest also carried additional significance for Afghanistan, as it would have marked the beginning of a new chapter under captain Ibrahim Zadran, who recently took over leadership duties from Rashid Khan following the team’s group-stage exit in the World Cup.

Regional Conflict Disrupting Cricket Calendar

The uncertainty surrounding the Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka series reflects wider disruptions across international cricket caused by tensions in West Asia.

Recently, six fixtures in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 tournament in Nepal involving Oman, UAE and the host nation were also postponed because of the conflict.

Travel difficulties have further complicated matters for teams participating in the ongoing men’s T20 World Cup. Several squads that had been in India and Sri Lanka have experienced delays due to restricted or closed airspace in parts of West Asia.

Despite already being eliminated from the tournament, both West Indies and South Africa teams remained stranded in Kolkata for several days before finally receiving confirmation on Sunday that their departures were scheduled for Tuesday.

Head-to-Head Record

Historically, the two sides have faced each other nine times in T20 Internationals. Sri Lanka has won six matches, while Afghanistan has secured three victories.

In the ODI format, the teams have met 15 times. Sri Lanka holds the advantage with 10 wins, Afghanistan has won four matches, and one game ended without a result.