Afghanistan, Pakistan to play three ODIs in Sri Lanka ahead of Asia Cup

Afghanistan and Pakistan will play three one-day internationals at neutral venues in Sri Lanka in August, it was announced on Monday. This will be the first bilateral series between Pakistan and Afghanistan as the two countries have only played four ODIs in the past. The first match in Sharjah in 2012 was Afghanistan’s first ODI against a Test-playing nation while the other three meetings were in the Asia Cup (twice) and at the 2019 World Cup. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said the schedule was confirmed after consultation with Pakistan. “The three ODI matches are scheduled for August 22nd, 24th, and 26th, and will take place in two separate venues in Sri Lanka,” said an ACB release. The first two matches are set to be held in Hambantota, with the third and final match to be played in Colombo. ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf hopes the series will help his team prepare for the Asia Cup and this year’s World Cup. The Asia Cup will be jointly hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka from 30 August-17 September. India will host the World Cup from 5 October-19 November. Afghanistan beat a depleted Pakistan team 2-1 in their first-ever Twenty20 series in Sharjah in March this year.