Afghanistan to Host Pakistan for T20 Friendly Match

Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed in principle to play T20 friendly matches as part of their efforts to renew ties with each other.

The matches are set to be played in Kabul and Lahore in July and August.

The agreement came following a delegation led by Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) chairman Atif Mashal who met with counterpart Shaharyar Khan in Lahore on Saturday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed willingness to provide Afghanistan with venues for training and conditioning camps as well as the youth and senior teams of both sides to play reciprocal tours.

 “The relationship between the two boards and the two nations is historic. It is not new,” Mashal said, quoted by Espncricinfo website.  “I am here to renew our commitment and sports should not be influenced by the politics of two governments.

“I am happy to have great discussion with Pakistan Cricket Board and agreed on various plans. We are renewing this relation with a friendly match between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Kabul and then we will return to Pakistan to play one. We have also agreed to play a bilateral series for which dates will be decided later.”

This comes as ACB had arranged a similar deal in 2013 which the Afghan cricketers were given access to the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, but after the first few visits, complications a rose, and eventually the ACB has found Greater Noida in India as an alternative venue for training of the players and hosting international teams.