Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is preparing to host Afghanistan’s one-day bilateral home series against Pakistan next month, according to reliable sources within the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) based in Kabul.

The ACB approached SLC to allow the hosting of three ODIs against Pakistan at a single venue, and it has been tentatively agreed upon by SLC to rent out its ground and stadium for the series.

The decision to play in Sri Lanka comes as Afghanistan lacks its own stadium, and this arrangement will serve as valuable preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup and World Cup tournaments.

Although there were initial considerations to host the matches in the UAE or Qatar, the extreme heat in those regions made it impractical. Past matches for Afghanistan have been hosted by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) in the UAE and India, respectively. However, due to concerns about the Indian government’s possible denial of visas to Pakistani players, India was not selected as the venue for this bilateral series.

The exact dates and venue for the three ODI matches are expected to be finalized soon, and the team members and support staff are likely to assemble in Sri Lanka on either August 10 or 12. This arrangement offers an exciting opportunity for Afghanistan to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience ahead of crucial tournaments.