In a lead-up full of action and international competition, the Afghanistan cricket team is bracing for an intense season as they gear up to face both Sri Lanka and Ireland in back-to-back all-format cricket series. The announcement, confirmed by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), comes as part of their preparation for the much-anticipated T20 World Cup slated for June.
Afghanistan’s cricketers are ready to embark on a rigorous cricketing schedule, starting with their journey to Sri Lankan shores early February. They are slated for a historical head-to-head with the Sri Lankan team that marks their debut Test match against one another. The highly anticipated match is set to commence on February 2. Following the test, the Afghan team will take part in a trifecta of One Day Internationals (ODIs) and a trio of T20 Internationals (T20Is) to complete their 22-day tour.
The team’s schedule is further packed as they proceed to host Ireland in the United Arab Emirates soon after the Sri Lanka series. The face-off with Ireland will kick off with a Test match beginning February 28, succeeded by another set of six limited-over games, breaking down into three ODIs and an equal number of T20Is. This exhaustive series culminates with the final T20 showdown on March 18.
Afghanistan’s itinerary is notably intense given they will be engaging in two Test matches within less than a month—a stark change from their prior schedule, where they had only one Test in almost an entire three-year span. Originally, the plan was for Afghanistan to engage in a dual of a single Test alongside three T20Is on their Sri Lankan tour, but three ODIs have been incorporated into the agenda, amplifying the tour’s importance.
Mirwais Ashraf, the ACB chief, spoke on the matter stating, “The addition of these three ODIs is a significant move to ensure a complete and comprehensive tour which not only provides good exposure to Afghanistan Cricket but will also foster stronger relations between the two nations. Playing Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka is always tricky but is a challenge that Afghan Atalan can easily embrace.”
Further stirring excitement among the Afghan cricket enthusiasts is the team’s historic bilateral series against India, as the 2007 T20 champions are set to host them for three T20Is beginning January 11. This marks a significant milestone in Afghanistan cricket and sets a strong precedence for their upcoming tours. Ashraf expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming tours: “The upcoming tours of India, Sri Lanka, and then the home series against Ireland will help us to prepare the team for the much-important T20 World Cup. Eagerly looking for the multiple series upfront,” he remarked.
Afghanistan’s forthcoming tours are packed with not just cricketing action but also crucial opportunities for strategic development and team building. The schedule is as follows:
– February 2-6, 2024: One-Off Test in Colombo against Sri Lanka.
– February 9, 2024: 1st ODI in Colombo against Sri Lanka.
– February 11, 2024: 2nd ODI in Colombo against Sri Lanka.
– February 14, 2024: 3rd ODI in Colombo against Sri Lanka.
– February 17, 2024: 1st T20I in Dambulla against Sri Lanka.
– February 19, 2024: 2nd T20I in Dambulla against Sri Lanka.
– February 21, 2024: 3rd T20I in Dambulla against Sri Lanka.
– February 28 – March 3, 2024: One-Off Test in Abu Dhabi against Ireland.
– March 7, 2024: 1st ODI in Sharjah against Ireland.
– March 9, 2024: 2nd ODI in Sharjah against Ireland.
– March 12, 2024: 3rd ODI in Sharjah against Ireland.
– March 15, 2024: 1st T20I in Sharjah against Ireland.
– March 17, 2024: 2nd T20I in Sharjah against Ireland.
– March 18, 2024: 3rd T20I in Sharjah against Ireland.
The Afghan team faces a high-pressure situation leading to the World Cup. The series against Sri Lanka and Ireland not only serves as a battleground for honing their skills but also for solidifying international relations through sportsmanship and competitive spirit. The world looks on as Afghanistan continues to weave its narrative in the cricketing world with steadfast determination and resilience.
