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The escalating conflict in the Middle East is casting uncertainty over Sri Lanka’s immediate international cricket plans, particularly the upcoming white-ball series against Afghanistan in the UAE, which was scheduled to start on March 13.
Sri Lanka was set to play a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in Sharjah from March 13-17, followed by a three-game ODI series in Dubai from March 20-25. However, sources indicate that the series’ future is now in doubt due to the intensifying hostilities stemming from U.S. and Israel-led strikes on Iran and Iran’s retaliatory attacks on U.S. targets in the region.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has yet to make an official statement regarding the series, with both SLC and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) reportedly monitoring the situation closely. The ongoing conflict has already caused major disruptions to travel and logistics for teams participating in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. While the tournament schedule itself remains intact, significant logistical challenges and flight cancellations have emerged, affecting teams’ movements.
Airspace closures across West Asia due to missile exchanges have compounded the situation. The West Indies and Zimbabwe teams, for instance, were stranded in India after elimination from the tournament, unable to return via Dubai because of disrupted flights and reported airport damage.
The conflict has also led to the cancellation of several cricket events in the UAE. The England Lions’ remaining matches against Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi were called off due to security concerns, and a one-month training camp for the England Women’s team in Abu Dhabi was abandoned, prompting the ECB to explore alternative preparations for their upcoming T20 World Cup.
If the Afghanistan-Sri Lanka series is postponed, Sri Lanka will have no international cricket until the June-July window, when they are scheduled to tour the West Indies. That series will include two ICC World Test Championship (WTC) matches, followed by a three-match ODI and T20I series.
The unfolding situation leaves cricket authorities and fans alike uncertain about how and when the bilateral series in the UAE can safely proceed.
