India-Afghanistan ODI series likely to be cancelled, final decision after IPL 2023 Final

While workload management of players is the primary concern of BCCI behind saying no to their Afghanistan counterpart, there is one more reason that might compel the Indian cricket board to not stage this ODI series.

India-Afghanistan ODI series likely to be cancelled, final decision after IPL 2023 Final

Rashid Khan (L); Hardik Pandya (R)

The three-match ODI series between India and Afghanistan, scheduled to take place in June might get cancelled as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is finding it hard to accommodate the itinerary. With India playing the World Test Championship (WTC) Final from 7-11 June and then travelling to West Indies for a full-fledged tour in the second week of July, the BCCI feels its players will be overcooked. 

However, a final decision on the same will be taken after the summit clash of the ongoing sixteenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on 28 May. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) President Mirwais Ashraf is already in India after he was invited by the BCCI for the IPL 2023 Final. 

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A Cricbuzz report claimed that along with the discussion around Asia Cup 2023, ACB and BCCI officials will also take a final call on the three-match ODI series.

Related: “Gazab beizzati hai yar,” netizens react as PCB Chief gets ignored while BCCI invites ACC members to decide on Asia Cup 2023 future 

“Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) president Mirwais Ashraf is currently in India, having come here on the invitation of the BCCI for the final of the IPL. There is also a meeting of the ACC on the sidelines of the May 28 final and the two boards may utilise the opportunity to engage in talks over this short bilateral series. Although a final decision has not been taken, at this stage it looks doubtful, pending a last-minute change of heart,” the report said.

Multiple reasons for BCCI’s naysay

bcci general body meeting

While workload management of players is the primary concern of BCCI behind saying no to their Afghanistan counterpart, there is one more reason that might compel the Indian cricket board to not stage this ODI series. The Cricbuzz report claimed that BCCI’s contract ending with Disney Star also might be affecting the board’s decision. 

“There are apparently a few other reasons for the rethink as well but the BCCI officials were not willing to specify. One possible reason could be that the BCCI’s broadcast deal with Disney Star has ended and the new tender has not come out yet. There is always a possibility of an interim arrangement but whether the board will get the right price ahead of a full-fledged tender for the bilateral series is a big question,” said the report.

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