Bipin Dani
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has explored one more option to play the upcoming bilateral ODI series against Pakistan.
“The first option to play all the 3 matches in Sri Lanka remains our top priority but the series being shifted to Pakistan is also not ruled out”, the ACB CEO, Dr. Hamid Shinwari, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Kabul, said.
“The current 10-day lockdown situation in Sri Lanka and travelling for our team to reach Sri Lanka is still a concern (Kabul airport is shut down)”.
“Both the teams and the coaching staff will enter and remain in bio-bubble during our stay and the matches will be played behind closed doors. The Sri Lankan government is kind enough to give green signal for the series and the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board assisting us to host the mathes there”, he added.
The other option considered is to travel for Pakistan first by crossing the border and leave to Sri Lanka via Dubai from Islamabad.
However, the new ACB chairman Aziz Ullah Faz does not favour this route.
“That’s a long way road and we can’t take risks”, speaking exclusively hours after assuming the Chairman’s office, he said to this reporter. “We are likely to finalize the tour within the next 48 hours”, the CEO added.
