The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has officially confirmed a comprehensive Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka white-ball series set to take place in the United Arab Emirates this March. The tour will feature three T20 Internationals followed by three One Day Internationals, marking a significant milestone in the bilateral cricketing ties between the two Asian nations.
Cricket fans are bracing for a high-octane month as Afghanistan prepares to host Sri Lanka in a neutral territory. According to the official announcement by the ACB on February 23, the multi-format series will run from March 13 to March 25. This series is strategically positioned as a building block for both teams ahead of major ICC and ACC assignments scheduled over the next two years.
The tour kicks off in Sharjah, a ground synonymous with historic Afghan victories, before moving to the modern facilities of Dubai for the longer format. This arrangement ensures that both teams experience varying pitch conditions, testing their adaptability in the shortest and mid-length formats of the game.
T20I Leg: Action Begins in Sharjah
The shortest format of the game will ignite the series. All three T20Is are slated to be held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. This venue has historically favored spin, which plays directly into the strengths of both sides. Afghanistan, known for its world-class slow bowlers, will look to dominate the powerplay and middle overs against a rejuvenated Sri Lankan batting lineup.
The first T20I is scheduled for March 13, providing an immediate litmus test for the tactical setups of both captains. Following the opener, the teams will meet again on March 15 and 17 to wrap up the 20-over leg of the tour.
Transition to Dubai for ODI Series
Once the T20I champions are crowned, the focus will shift to the 50-over format. The Dubai International Cricket Stadium will play host to the three-match ODI series. These matches are scheduled for March 20, 22, and 25.
For Afghanistan, this series represents more than just bilateral points; it is a “home” series where they aim to assert their growing dominance in the ODI circuit. The Dubai surface typically offers a bit more bounce and pace compared to Sharjah, which might give the Sri Lankan seamers a slight edge if they hit the right lengths early in the innings.
Complete Schedule for Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Series
| Date | Match | Format | Venue |
| March 13 | 1st T20I | T20I | Sharjah |
| March 15 | 2nd T20I | T20I | Sharjah |
| March 17 | 3rd T20I | T20I | Sharjah |
| March 20 | 1st ODI | ODI | Dubai |
| March 22 | 2nd ODI | ODI | Dubai |
| March 25 | 3rd ODI | ODI | Dubai |
Historical Context and Recent Form
Looking back at their previous encounters, Sri Lanka holds a psychological advantage. During their last bilateral meeting in early 2024, Sri Lanka managed a clean sweep in the ODIs (3-0) and secured the T20I series 2-1 on home soil. However, Afghanistan’s trajectory in white-ball cricket has been upwardly mobile, often upsetting higher-ranked teams in multi-nation tournaments.
Naseeb Khan, CEO of the ACB, expressed his enthusiasm regarding the collaboration with Sri Lanka Cricket. He noted that hosting Sri Lanka is a historic moment for the board and emphasized that the series is crucial for identifying key areas of improvement within the squad.
Building Toward Future ICC Events
With a packed international calendar ahead, this Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka white-ball series serves as a vital preparation phase. Both boards are looking to refine their core combinations. Sri Lanka has been playing a disciplined brand of cricket lately, while Afghanistan continues to integrate young talent alongside their experienced franchise-cricket stars.
The tactical battle between Sri Lanka’s technical proficiency and Afghanistan’s raw power-hitting will be the highlight for spectators. Furthermore, the conditions in the UAE closely mimic those found in other parts of Asia, making this a perfect dress rehearsal for upcoming regional trophies.
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