Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: Afghanistan men’s cricket to proceed despite Taliban takeover | Afghanistan men’s team to play Pakistan ODIs & T20 World Cup

The Afghanistan men’s cricket team’s upcoming assignments are set to proceed as planned despite the Taliban takeover in the country. Afghanistan are set to play an ODI series against Pakistan, as well as the upcoming T20 World Cup where they are considered the dark horse by many fans and experts alike.

However, it is still unclear what the impact of the Taliban takeover will be on Afghanistan’s women’s team.

Afghanistan on track to play ODI series vs Pakistan and T20 World Cup despite Taliban takeover

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has confirmed that the three-match ODI series against Pakistan next month will go ahead as planned. The series will be held in Sri Lanka. In addition, the board is expanding its “Shpageeza” Twenty20 league competition, which will also take place in September.

ACB head of media operations Hikmat Hassan said that the Taliban doesn’t have any issues with cricket, and operations can continue as planned.

“The Taliban don’t have any issue or problem with cricket, and they have told us that we can continue our work as planned,” said Hassan.

Hassan also stated that the team is ready for the ODI series against Pakistan after completing training camps in the Afghan capital of Kabul. The series is slated to start on September 3, as the Pakistan team currently going head-to-head with the West Indies in an exciting Test series.

“We have completed our two training camps in Kabul and we have sponsors, a production team and even the kit ready.”

“We are confident we will be able to take part [in the T20 World Cup] and will be preparing for it over the coming weeks. I don’t think there will be a problem,” Hassan added.

“Cricket won’t be affected that much” – Rashid Khan

Star spinner Rashid Khan said on Friday that he has received no indication that the Taliban regime will have a negative impact on the men’s team.

“Cricket won’t be affected that much,” Rashid said in an interview with SEN.

“Everyone back home loves cricket, they love sport and they keep supporting their players and that is something which is very good to see.

“We have seen some of the (Taliban) interviews from the past few days and they talked about sports and (said) ‘we don’t have any issue, we love the players and we want to see them compete all around the world in different countries’.

“We love to see that. We don’t have any problems at the moment.”

Shpageeza Cricket League to be played between September 10 and 25

The Shpageeza Cricket League (SCL) is set to be played between September 10 and 25. The ACB have added two franchises to the competition.

Hassan said that he hopes Rashid Khan will play some part in the competition; a spectacle that he hopes spread some joy during a difficult time in Afghanistan.

“Given the current problems in Afghanistan, it is an opportunity to bring the country together, bring some joy to the people and put on a remarkable spectacle,” Hassan said.