Afghanistan, Pakistan to Play Debut T20 Friendly in Kabul

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed in principle to play T20 friendlies in an effort to renew ties. The matches will be played in Kabul and Lahore sometime in July and August. Pakistani media reported that Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) Chairman Atif Mashal met with his Pakistani counterpart Shaharyar Khan in Lahore on Saturday. “The relationship between the two boards and the two nations is historic. It is not new,” Mashal said. “I am here to renew our commitment and sports should not be influenced by the politics of two governments.” Shaharyar Khan said politics will not be allowed to interfere in cricket, referring to the recent strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Khan said the first friendly would be held in Kabul, followed by a second fixture in Pakistan.