Zimbabwe to feature in Pakistan tri-series after Afghanistan pull out

 
Zimbabwe will feature in next month's Twenty20 international tri-series in Pakistan after Afghanistan withdrew over political tension with the host country, officials said Saturday.

Afghanistan Cricket Board announced Friday it had decided not to send its national team for the tri-series after three local cricketers were killed in Paktika province in attacks blamed on Pakistan.

The International Cricket Council and the Board of Control for Cricket in India condemned the attacks and showed solidarity with Afghanistan.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Zimbabwe has agreed to replace Afghanistan for the series to be played from November 17 to 29, with Sri Lanka as the third side.

"Zimbabwe Cricket has accepted our invitation to participate in a T20I tri-series which will be played as per schedule," said a PCB release.

The tri-series will commence with hosts Pakistan taking on Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi while the second fixture will also be played at the same venue two days later as Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe.

Following the two matches in Rawalpindi, the action will shift to Lahore, which will stage the remaining five matches, including the final, said the PCB.
Pakistan will also host Sri Lanka for a three-match bilateral T20I series from November 11 to 15.

Pakistan's relations with Afghanistan have been tense for a while now, even though the two teams participated in a tri-series, also featuring the UAE, in Sharjah prior to the Asia Cup.

The fierce fighting between the one-time allies and Pakistani airstrikes across their contested 2,600-km (1,600-mile) frontier were triggered after Islamabad demanded Kabul rein in militants who stepped up attacks in Pakistan, saying they operated from havens in Afghanistan.

Tri-series schedule:
November 17 - Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi
November 19 - Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi
November 22 - Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Lahore
November 23 - Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Lahore
November 25 - Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, Lahore
November 27 - Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Lahore
November 29 - Final, Lahore

>>AFP