Afghanistan to tour UAE for 3-match T20 series

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan will tour the United Arab Emirate (UAE) for a three-match T20I series in mid February 16, a media report said on Sunday.

The series, beginning from February 16, will be played under a mutual cooperation agreement the Afghan and UAE cricket boards inked the in November.

The UAE agreed to lend ACB logistical and infrastructure support over the next five years, including hosting their home matches.

Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO Naseeb Khan said about the accord: “We are honoured to be part of this partnership and are pleased with the results of our recent negotiations with the Emirates Cricket Board.”

ESCN Cricinfo quoted him as saying: “Playing this T20I series is the first step in our long-term commitment and we are looking forward to a continued relationship with ECB.”

Mubashir Usmani, ECB general secretary, said they were looking forward to welcoming players and staff from Afghanistan.

Rashid Khan will captain the visitors during the series, to be played at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on February 16 18 and 19.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Abdul Rahman Rahmani, Afsar Zazai, Azmatullah Omarzai Bilal Sami, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Nangyal Kharoti, Naveen Ul Haq, Nijat Masoud, Noor Ahmad, Rahmat Shah, Sediqullah Atal, Shahidullah Kamal, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Zahir Khan are part of the 22-member Afghan squad.

Under the agreement, Afghanistan will be playing the UAE in a three-match T20I series annually until its expiry.

PAN Monitor/mud