Afghanistan-Sri Lanka limited-overs series scrapped amid Middle East conflict

Colombo: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has indefinitely postponed a landmark six-match white-ball tour against Afghanistan, citing the escalating military conflict that has engulfed the Middle East since late February.

The fixtures, which would have marked Afghanistan’s first time acting as nominal host for a bilateral series against Sri Lanka, were scheduled to be staged in the United Arab Emirates. Three T20 internationals were pencilled in for Sharjah on 13, 15 and 17 March, followed by three ODIs in Dubai on 20, 22 and 25 March.

“We had to cancel because of the flight situation… and the ongoing fighting in the region,” an SLC official told AFP on Monday, alluding to air-travel chaos triggered by reciprocal strikes between Iran, the United States and Israel that began on 28 February. Dubai International Airport, a key transit hub for teams and broadcast crews, was briefly shuttered after Iranian drones and missiles targeted sites across the Gulf.

Afghanistan have never staged an international match on home soil and routinely play their “home” fixtures in India or the UAE. The aborted series was therefore viewed as a symbolic step toward expanding cricket in the region.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka confirmed last week that former South African opener Gary Kirsten will take over as head coach from 15 April on a two-year deal, replacing Sanath Jayasuriya, who resigned following the team’s early exit from the T20 World Cup. Jayasuriya’s contract had been due to run until 30 June.

With no immediate window announced for a rescheduled tour, both boards must now reassess calendar slots in a year already congested by global tournaments and bilateral commitments.