ODI series against Pakistan will go as per schedule: ACB chief

Last updated on: 18 August,2021 08:06 pm

The ACB has confirmed that the three-matches ODI series against Pakistan will not have any effect

KABUL (Web Desk) – The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has assured that the ODI series against Pakistan will be played as per schedule.

The ACB has confirmed that the three-matches ODI series against Pakistan will not have any effect due to the newly formed government in the country.

“Our ODI series against Pakistan will go as per schedule in Sri Lanka. After two days’ gap due to the current situation in the country, the training camp of the national team will resume tomorrow,” ACB’s CEO, Hamid Shinwari was quoted saying.

The Afghan Cricket Board posted pictures of a training camp for Afghan national team players after the Taliban took control of the capital, Kabul.

A statement issued by the Afghan cricket team said that a training camp of the national team has been set up in Kabul for the upcoming series against Pakistan in which many players are participating.

Batting coach 

On the other hand, Avishka Gunawardene, the former Sri Lanka opening batter, has been appointed the Afghanistan men s team s batting coach for the forthcoming ODIs against Pakistan.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board announced this on August 17 via Twitter. The ACB had wanted Gunawardene for a longer stint, but Gunawardene has only confirmed his involvement in the ODI series - which is to be played in Sri Lanka - for now.

This will be Gunawardene s first major assignment since being cleared of corruption charges relating to alleged breaches of the Emirates Cricket Board s anti-corruption code during the T10 tournament in the UAE in 2017.

An independent tribunal cleared Gunawardene in May, following an investigation, leaving him free to resume his coaching career. Gunawardene has served as the Sri Lanka national men s team s batting coach, and has also coached the Sri Lanka A and Emerging teams.