Afghanistan keen on hosting Pakistan for white ball series

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has expressed their desire to host Pakistan for a white ball series during August-September in UAE. The two neighbouring nations have met each other quite often in ICC trophies and multi-nation tournaments. 

However, they are yet to play a full-fledged bilateral series at the senior level. While A teams from Afghanistan have toured Pakistan several times, they are yet to play at the highest level. 

As per a report in PTI, it is learnt that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) are in talks for organising a bilateral series which will include three ODIs and as many T20s. 

"The Afghanistan board is keen to have the series before the World T20 Cup which is in October,” the source was quoted as saying by PTI on the basis of anonymity.

After meeting senior Afghan players including Mohammad Nabi back in January, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had urged the PCB to conduct bilateral tours with Afghanistan. 

The Afghan players had request Imran Khan to make a case for bilateral series between the two teams at the senior-most level. It is learnt that PCB was seeking the August window as a viable option after they return from the Caribbean shores after playing a white ball series. 

"The plan is for the Pakistan team to stop over in UAE and play the series in August as the Indian cricket board is also likely to host the remaining matches of its unfinished Indian Premier League in the UAE sometime in September-October,” the source said. 

"And a number of Afghan players including their captain, Rashid Khan, Nabi, Mujeeb ur Rehman and a few others take part in the IPL for different teams,” it further added.

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