Pakistan vs Afghanistan: The fate of the series hold in balance as Taliban takes over the country

The fate of the scheduled ODI series between Pakistan and Afghanistan hangs in balance as the Taliban takes over the country.

According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has contacted the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) whether they are in favor of having bilateral series or not.

The sources further added that the PCB is expecting a reply from ACB in the next one or two days.

Considering the current political situation in Afghanistan, ACB is assessing it to analyze the available options.

“The Afghanistan Cricket Board has the domain to decide about the fate of the series as their country will host the event,” sources quoted the PCB as saying.

The ODI series between the two countries is scheduled to take place from September 3 to 9 in Sri Lanka.

The national team will be returning from West Indies in late August after the two-match test series will conclude.

Last week PCB officials spoke about the series with Afghanistan. “We have made it clear to the Afghan board that the national team members only have a 10-day time in between the traveling and three-match series before getting ready to host the Kiwis which are due in Pakistan on September 11,”

“In that scenario, it would be difficult for the team members to keep on traveling from one city to the other. We have suggested that one venue should be selected for all the three matches.”

“Only this window is available for the series as the Pakistan team is facing a busy schedule till May 2022,” said the PCB official. “We hope all the issues will be sorted out at the earliest for the benefit of both the teams,” he added.

Changing situation

The Taliban took control over Afghanistan as they entered the capital city Kabul on Sunday. As a result of their quick cross-country onslaught, they were able to retake the country 20 years after being driven out by a US-led invasion. President Ashraf Ghani abandoned the country on Sunday, conceding the 20-year battle to the militants.

Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) said on Monday (August 16) that most of the violence has been averted and all the parties in Afghanistan are called together to follow the rule of law, protect human rights and prevent the soil of the country to be used for terrorism against any country.

Pakistan’s highest national security council also emphasized the importance of abiding by the policy of non-interference in Afghanistan. The conference also stated that the country would continue to cooperate with the international community and all Afghan stakeholders to help the country reach a comprehensive political settlement.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered that all necessary facilities be made accessible to Pakistanis, diplomats, journalists, and international organization workers who wish to leave Afghanistan. The Prime Minister praised the Pakistan embassy’s and state machinery’s continuous efforts in this regard.