Australia's scheduled one-day international series against Afghanistan in India has been postponed, the cricket boards of the respective countries said on Sunday, leaving players free to fulfil their Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments.
The three ODIs were supposed to take place ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup but the showpiece event has now been moved to the UAE because of the ongoing pandemic 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 September 19 to October 15.
Despite the proximity of the tournament to the T20 World Cup, Cricket Australia said it will grant permission for their players to take part and fulfil their 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.
While Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins has already said he will miss the conclusion of the IPL due to the impending birth of his first child, other top players such as David Warner and Steve Smith are now free to participate.
The Twenty20 World Cup will take place in the UAE and Oman just two days after the conclusion of the IPL and run until November 14.
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Mumbai Indians won the IPL title for the fifth time after defeating Delhi Capitals by five wickets in Dubai in 2020. -
Mumbai Indians with the 2020 IPL trophy in Dubai on Tuesday. -
Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma celebrates the win in the final against Delhi Capitals. -
Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma powered Mumbai Indians to a comfortable win over Delhi Capitals in the IPL final in Dubai on Tuesday. -
Rohit Sharma hit a match-winning fifty for Mumbai Indians in the final against Delhi Capitals. -
Ishan Kishan has been a revelation for Mumbai Indians. -
Jayant Yadav of Mumbai Indians celebrates the wicket of Shikhar Dhawan of Delhi Capitals. -
Trent Boult gave Mumbai Indians an electric start with the ball against Delhi Capitals in the final in Dubai on Tuesday. -
Nita Ambani, co- owner of Mumbai Indians, cheers her team in Dubai. -
Rishabh Pant of Delhi Capitals scored a fifty on Tuesday. -
Marcus Stoinis of Delhi Capitals celebrates the wicket of Quinton de Kock. -
Shikhar Dhawan of Delhi Capitals is bowled by Jayant Yadav. -
Shreyas Iyer, captain of Delhi Capitals, celebrates his fifty.
