ODI series between Australia, Afghanistan postponed

• Afghanistan, Aussies were supposed to play three ODIS before Twenty20 World Cup in India.
• Complexities of travel, quarantine periods and a finding a suitable location main reasons for postponing Australia-Afghanistan series. 
  
• The Twenty20 World Cup will take place in the UAE and Oman from October 17 to November 14.

SYDNEY: Afghanistan and Australia’s cricket boards decided to postpone the scheduled one-day international series in India, it emerged on Sunday.

The three one-dayers between the two sides were supposed to take place ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup but the tournament was then moved to the United Arab Emirates because of the prevalence of COVID-19 in India.

"The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and Cricket Australia agreed to postpone the tour given the complexities of travel, quarantine periods and a finding a suitable location for the matches given the relocation of the T20 World Cup to the UAE," the boards said in a statement.

"With the World Cup relocated from India to the UAE, the ACB will continue to explore the possibility of hosting a proposed T20 tri-series involving Australia and the West Indies."

The IPL was suspended indefinitely in May after several players and backroom staff tested positive for COVID-19. The remaining matches will now be played in the UAE from Sept. 19 to Oct. 15.

Despite the proximity of the tournament to the T20 World Cup, Cricket Australia said it would grant permission for their players to take part and fulfil their lucrative contracts.

"No Objection Certificates will be granted to Australian players wishing to take part in the remaining upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) matches to be played in the UAE," Cricket Australia said.

The Twenty20 World Cup will take place in the UAE and Oman from October 17 to November 14.