The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has said that it is going ahead with the arrangements to host the T20I series between Pakistan and Afghanistan which is slated to begin on September 1. The current situation in Afghanistan has left the board in a dilemma whether the fixtures will go ahead as scheduled or not but it is still hoping to host the series.
"We have told them that we are ready to host the tournament," Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Mohan de Silva told AFP about the board informing Afghanistan and Pakistan cricket boards. "All the preparations are underway," he added.
The current condition in Afghanistan is very tense with the Taliban taking over the control of the country. In such a situation, whether the Afghan cricket team would be able to make it to Sri Lanka as per the schedule is hard to tell. "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," de Silva said.
The SLC secretary further added that due to Covid-19 restrictions, the sides need to land in Sri Lanka by next week to commence the series on time.
While Rashid Khan is in the UK playing the inaugural edition of ‘The Hundred’ tournament, most of the players are in Afghanistan. "Efforts are being made to check their whereabouts," said an international cricket official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen had earlier revealed that Rashid is worried about the safety of his family. "We had a long chat here on the boundary talking about it and he's worried," Pietersen said while commentating in a Hundred game.