Afghanistan-Australia Perth Test postponed

KABUL this summer.

The postponement of the long-awaited inaugural Test between the two sides, which was to be played in Perth from November 21 to 25, was announced on Friday.

The Australian Morning Herald reported the Tim Paine-led squad had been scheduled to open their 2020/21 campaign against Afghanistan in November.

But Cricket Australia was compelled to reschedule the summer fixture -- an increasingly challenging proposition -- as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The newspaper quoted sources as saying the board planned arranging the solitary Test after next year’s Ashes series, most likely in Hobart in February 2022.

Afghanistan have outplayed Ireland and Bangladesh in one-off Tests away from home since becoming a full member of the International Cricket Council in 2017.

In a statement, the board said the decision had been taken in consultation with the Afghanistan Cricket Board due to "the complexity of scheduling worldwide matches during the coronavirus pandemic".

CA interim CEO Nick Hockley said: "Cricket Australia looks forward to working with our good friends at the Afghanistan Cricket Board…”

In mid-May, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) Chief Executive Lutfullah Stanikzai had said in an interview with the Herald the Test match would take place.

PAN Monitor/mud