Afghanistan to host Pakistan for three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka

Just before the Asia Cup, Afghanistan will host Pakistan for a series of three ODIs across five days in Sri Lanka. The first two games will be played in Hambantota on August 22 and 24, with the third taking place in Colombo on August 26.

Both sides will travel to Pakistan after the series, with the Asia Cup opener in Multan between Pakistan and Nepal taking place on August 30.

"Our previous ODI assignment was a 2-1 series victory in our away tour to Bangladesh, which has boosted the team's morale for the Pakistan series," Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman Mirwais Ashraf said. "We are satisfied with our preparations for the Asia Cup as we have featured in multiple ODI commitments in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh recently, and playing Pakistan, in Sri Lanka, will help our squad read the conditions and further prepare for the event."

Afghanistan were the official hosts when the two sides played a three-match T20I series in Sharjah in March, which Afghanistan won 2-1. Pakistan have never lost an ODI to Afghanistan, winning all four they have played to date.

Pakistan completed a two-Test series in Sri Lanka last week. A number of players, including captain Babar Azam, have remained in Sri Lanka to take part in the Lankan Premier League, which began on July 30 and ends on August 20.