Pakistan and Afghanistan to play T20Is at Kabul, Lahore

In a very historic agreement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) have agreed to play T20Is and a bilateral series soon. The PCB chairman Shahryar Khan announced that there will two T20 matches played between the two sides in addition to a bilateral series as well. The details of the bilateral series are yet to be disclosed.

The joint press conference was conducted by the two country boards – PCB and ACB. ACB Chief Atif Mashal also looked very pleased with the announcements. Shahryar Khan, as per the quotes in Geo.tv, confirmed the news of the two teams facing one another. “Pakistan and Afghanistan will play two T20 matches and a bilateral cricket series,” quoted the PCB chairman.

Najam Sethi, Head of PCB’s executive committee and PSL Chairman, was also present at the media briefing. He noted that the ACB Chief, Atif Mashal is a close friend and hence the matches will only strengthen the ties between the two countries. Over the last few years, both Pakistan and Afghanistan have been trying hard to convince the other member nations to tour their countries for bilateral series.

However, the security concerns over the two countries has come in way of international tours making headway to their countryland. Now, the two boards have agreed to play one match each in Kabul and Lahore. This, they believe, will pave way for international cricket in their respective nations. “Pakistan and Afghanistan will hold two friendly T20 matches in Kabul and Lahore,” Najam Sethi quoted.

More tours

Atif Mashal remarked that the sports has to be kept away from politics. Hence, the political tensions between the two countries must not come in way of the sports. “It is necessary to keep sports and politics separate,” he noted.

More tours, including the A team and the U19 teams are being planned by the two boards. The ACB recently saw Pakistani players auctioned for their T20 league as well.