Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is planning a Youth Tri-Series involving Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and it was discussed at the ICC’s annual Board Meeting held in Colombo this week.
ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf and CEO Naseeb Khan attended the meeting and engaged in talks with representatives from Cricket South Africa, Cricket New Zealand, and Cricket West Indies.
These discussions focused on organizing a white-ball series leading up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 so that the Afghan youth team can get international exposure.
In a press release, the ACB highlighted that Ashraf and Khan presented the board’s recent achievements, ongoing activities, and plans during the meeting.
They also explored the possibility of a bilateral white-ball cricket series with Cricket South Africa, Cricket New Zealand, and Cricket West Indies.
The Youth Tri-Series, featuring Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the UAE, aims to be a notable event in the cricket calendar.
While dates and venues are yet to be confirmed, the ACB is also contemplating A-team tours to Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
The ICC leadership and other attendees lauded Afghanistan’s impressive performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
The Afghanistan team, led by Rashid Khan, drew global attention with their outstanding play, defeating top teams such as Australia and New Zealand and reaching the semi-finals for the first time in an ICC event.
Despite their semi-final loss to South Africa, Afghanistan’s aggressive approach and competitive spirit throughout the tournament earned widespread acclaim and showcased their rising stature in international cricket.