Pakistan to host Afghanistan, Sri Lanka for T20I tri-series

Pakistan and Afghanistan players line up for their national anthems before the start of the Asia Cup Twenty20 international cricket Super Four match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in UAE, on September 7, 2022. (AFP/File)

• The tri-series will begin on Nov. 17 with Pakistan taking on Afghanistan at the Rawalpindi stadium
• This will be the first time Pakistan play neighbors Afghanistan in a T20I match on their home soil

KARACHI: Pakistan’s cricket board announced Sunday it will host a Twenty20 international tri-series with Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in November, as teams get ready for next year’s World Cup.

“The series has been organized to provide all teams with valuable preparation ahead of next year’s Men’s T20 World Cup, to be staged in India and Sri Lanka,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.

The tri-series will begin on November 17 with Pakistan taking on Afghanistan at the Rawalpindi stadium.

This will be the first time Pakistan play neighbors Afghanistan in a T20I match on home soil, the PCB said.

Afghanistan have played two one-day internationals in the Asia Cup 2023 and three in this year’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan, but they involved opponents other than the home team.

Before the tri-series, Pakistan will host South Africa in a bilateral series of two Tests, three one-day internationals and as many T20Is from October 12 to November 8.

Tri-series schedule:

17 November — Pakistan v Afghanistan, Rawalpindi

19 November — Sri Lanka v Afghanistan, Rawalpindi

22 November — Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Lahore

23 November — Pakistan v Afghanistan, Lahore

25 November — Sri Lanka v Afghanistan, Lahore

27 November — Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Lahore

29 November — Final, Lahore