Afghanistan fine-tune T20 WC prep, announces all-format SL tour & Ireland home series

Afghanistan is geared up for an exhilarating cricket season as the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) finalizes the schedule for their upcoming all-format tour to Sri Lanka and a home series against Ireland. The cricketing extravaganza promises an intense display of talent and a chance for Afghanistan to fine-tune their skills ahead of the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup in the Caribbean & USA in June.

The action-packed schedule kicks off with a solitary Test match against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Colombo from February 2 to 6, followed by a three-match ODI series at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on February 9, 11, and 14. The T20I clashes will unfold at the Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on February 17, 19, and 21.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Mirwais Ashraf, Chairman of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, acknowledged the challenges of facing Sri Lanka in their home turf, emphasizing that AfghanAtalan embraces the opportunity. He highlighted the significance of adding three ODIs to the Sri Lanka tour, fostering stronger relations between the cricketing nations.

Following the Sri Lanka tour, Afghanistan will shift focus to host Ireland in a gripping series in the United Arab Emirates. The series kicks off with a Test match at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi from February 28 to March 3, setting the stage for a series of ODIs and T20Is at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from March 7 to 18.

Naseeb Khan, CEO of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, expressed delight over the team’s action-packed calendar, providing ample preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup. He noted the significance of the challenging tours, citing them as crucial for Afghanistan Cricket’s growth and competitiveness on the global stage.

Lock the Dates! 📆

ACB confirmed an all-format tour to Sri Lanka and a home series against Ireland! 🚨

1️⃣ X Test, 3️⃣ X ODIs & 3️⃣ X T20Is vs @OfficialSLC

and

1️⃣ X Test, 3️⃣ X ODIs & 3️⃣ X T20Is vs @cricketireland🤩#SLvAFg | #AFGvIRE @EtisalatAf More 👉: https://t.co/N3IDKSLkjm pic.twitter.com/LhDyroaI5I
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) January 8, 2024

Etisalat Afghanistan Telecommunications Company has secured major sponsorship rights for AfghanAtalan’s Sri Lanka tour and title sponsorship rights for the home series against Ireland, further bolstering their support for Afghan cricket.

Afghanistan Tour to Sri Lanka, February 2024:

2-6 February, 2024: One-Off Test at SSC, Colombo
9th February, 2024: 1st ODI at RPICS, Colombo
11th February, 2024: 2nd ODI at RPICS, Colombo
14th February, 2024: 3rd ODI at RPICS, Colombo
17th February, 2024: 1st T20I at RDIS, Dambulla
19th February, 2024: 2nd T20I at RDIS, Dambulla
21st February, 2024: 3rd T20I at RDIS, Dambulla

Ireland Tour of Afghanistan, February – March 2024:

28th Feb – 3rd Mar, 2024: One-Off Test at ZCS, Abu Dhabi
7th March, 2024: 1st ODI at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
9th March, 2024: 2nd ODI at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
12th March, 2024: 3rd ODI at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
15th March, 2024: 1st T20I at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
17th March, 2024: 2nd T20I at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
18th March, 2024: 3rd T20I at Sharjah Cricket Stadium

As the cricketing world awaits these exciting clashes, AfghanAtalan’s journey promises to captivate fans worldwide, offering a glimpse of Afghanistan’s prowess in international cricket.