Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to play two T20Is

PCB to provide a ground to ACB for tournaments and matches

Sports Desk May 27, 2017

BIG FAVOURS: PCB agreed on providing Afghanistan with technical assistance, support in Asian Cricket Counil and ICC and more important a ground which they will be able to use as their own. PHOTO: AFP

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Saturday reached announced an agreement under which they will play a T20I apiece on each other’s home soils.

The first T20I will take place in Afghanistan, while the second will be played in Pakistan.

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“Pakistan will come to Afghanistan with a message of peace, friendship and brotherhood. And then our team will go to Pakistan for the same purpose,” said ACB Chairman Atif Mashal while addressing media in Lahore.

During the meeting in Lahore, both boards also agreed to strengthen bilateral cricket relations through a future series between the two national teams. Moreover, bilateral series between A teams and U16 team was also agreed upon.

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In an attempt to further fortify relations between the two countries, the PCB agreed to provide technical assistance to Afghanistan through training for curators, scorers, umpires and coaches.

The PCB also promised to provide its biomechanics facility to Afghanistan to test their bowler’s actions.

Another important point which was agreed upon was that the PCB will work on providing a cricket ground to Afghanistan to use for their tournaments and matches.

PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan named the ground which might possibly be handed over to Afghanistan.

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“Whether it is Rawalpindi, whether it is Peshawar, whether it is Quetta, they will decide after taking a look at the stadiums and whichever is more convenient, they will come and use that stadium as their own,” he said.

PCB then assured ACB that they will push for an enhanced role for Afghanistan in the Asian Cricket Council and in world cricket too.

“We really value this relation,” added Mashal. “We really appreciate PCB’s support in the past. Pakistani coaches were with our team like Inzamam[ul Haq], Kabir Khan and Rashid Latif. They really contributed in the development of the Afghanistan national cricket team. Both boards will try our best to keep our relations positive.”