Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Series in Doubt Amid Middle East Tensions
The upcoming white-ball cricket series between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from March 13 to March 25, 2026, is facing increasing uncertainty as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalate.
The six-match bilateral tour — comprising three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in Sharjah followed by three One Day Internationals (ODIs) in Dubai — was confirmed by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) earlier this month as part of the international cricket calendar. However, growing instability in the region, including the ongoing military hostilities and related disruptions to commercial air travel, has cast doubt on whether the itinerary will proceed as planned.
Sri Lanka Cricket Monitoring the Situation
Sri Lanka Cricket’s Chief Executive Officer Ashley de Silva told local media that the board is carefully monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East but has not yet taken a final call on the tour’s fate.
According to de Silva, no decision has been formally made at this stage regarding the series, with both Sri Lanka Cricket and their Afghan counterparts set to assess developments over the coming days before confirming next steps. He emphasised that while safety remains the priority, postponement or relocation of the fixtures would only be considered once all stakeholders have had a chance to review the logistical challenges posed by the current tensions.
“We remain in close communication with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and will take a decision that reflects the best interests of player welfare and the international schedule,” de Silva said, stressing that the situation is still fluid and under active review.
Context and Broader Concerns
The potential disruption to the series comes amid broader fallout from escalating hostilities in the Middle East, which have affected regional airspace and travel routes — critical considerations for international sporting events. Several airlines have been forced to alter flight plans, raising concerns for team travel and logistics ahead of the tour.
Reports suggest the Sri Lankan squad is slated to depart Colombo on March 10, with training camps and final preparations planned ahead of the first T20 match. However, discussions over whether the series might be postponed, relocated, or restructured are expected to intensify in the coming week as authorities and cricket boards evaluate risk assessments.
Scheduled Fixtures at Stake
The series was set to mark an important post-T20 World Cup assignment for both teams — Sri Lanka having advanced to the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, while Afghanistan exited at the group stage. The matches were also seen as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties between the two cricketing nations and provide valuable international exposure to both squads.
With uncertainties mounting, fans and officials alike are watching closely for official confirmation from Sri Lanka Cricket and the Afghanistan Cricket Board on whether the tour will proceed as scheduled or be shelved in light of the deteriorating situation abroad.
