Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka series cancelled due to Middle East conflict

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) were planning to play a white-ball series in the UAE. However, the escalating conflict, which involves missile exchanges between the USA, Israel, Iran, and other countries in the Middle East, has made it very difficult to play cricket in the region.

The UAE is usually a popular and busy place to host a cricket series. Notably, the main focus of the cricket world is on the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which is happening in India and Sri Lanka. Fans are watching the marquee tournament, but cricket boards also have to plan for future bilateral series.

Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka Series Postponed

According to www.adaderana.lk, Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to postpone the upcoming series against Afghanistan. Afghanistan were supposed to host Sri Lanka for a white-ball series for the very first time.

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The teams were scheduled to play three T20Is in Sharjah from March 13 to 17. After that, they were supposed to play three ODIs in Dubai from March 20 to 25.

The series has been postponed because of the Middle East conflict. SLC CEO Ashley de Silva recently said that no final decision had been made. However, both boards are now talking about either delaying the series or moving the matches to Sri Lanka.

"Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to postpone the upcoming T20 and ODI series against Afghanistan which was scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)," according to sources.

Middle East Conflict Disrupts Multiple Cricket Tours

The Sri Lanka-Afghanistan series is not the only cricket event affected by this conflict. The situation has led to airspace closures across West Asia. This has caused major travel and logistics problems for teams playing in the T20 World Cup.

The West Indies and Zimbabwe teams are currently stranded in India after getting knocked out of the tournament. Their return flights via Dubai were cancelled due to problems and reported damage at Dubai International Airport.

The rest of the England Lions tour in Abu Dhabi was cancelled due to security fears. They were supposed to play matches against the Pakistan Shaheens. A one-month training camp for the England Women’s team in Abu Dhabi was also abandoned, forcing them to find other options.

Sri Lanka to Wait Until West Indies Tour

The Afghanistan T20I series was supposed to start just five days after the T20 World Cup ends on March 8. The ODI matches were planned to finish right before the IPL and PSL start on March 26.

Players like Dasun Shanaka, Rashid Khan, Kusal Perera, and Noor Ahmad were supposed to play in this series before joining their franchise teams. If this bilateral series is fully cancelled, the Sri Lankan team will not play any international cricket for a few months.

They will have to wait until June or July this year. Sri Lanka are scheduled to travel to the West Indies for an all-format tour. They will play two Test matches for the ICC World Test Championship, followed by ODIs and T20Is.

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