Afghanistan confirm participation in the T20 World Cup amid political turmoil 

Afghanistan will be part of the upcoming T20 World Cup in the UAE. Doubts were raised over their participation due to the ongoing political unrest in the nation.

The country's cricket board has cleared the team's participation in the multi-nation event. Afghanistan will take part in a tri-series involving Australia and West Indies in a bid to spruce up their preparations.

The team's media manager Hikmat Hassan confirmed that plans are being put in place for the team's involvement in the showpiece event in the UAE. While speaking to ANI, he said:

"Yes, we will play in the T20 World Cup. The preparations are on and the available players will be back to training in Kabul in the next few days. We are looking for a venue for the tri-series involving Australia and West Indies and that will be the best preparation for the showpiece event.

"We are speaking to some countries like Sri Lanka and also I think Malaysia. Let's see how that pans out."

"We are always there to help our players and their families" - Afghanistan Cricket Board

Afghanistan will also participate in an ODI series against Pakistan prior to the World Cup. The three-match rubber was initially slated to take place in the UAE, but Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Hambantota, Sri Lanka will now play host as the grounds are unavailable due to the IPL.

Play with a patriotic spirit and a positive mindset: ACB Chairman to National PlayersACB Chairman Farhan Yusefzai met Afghanistan national squad today ahead of their tour of Sri Lanka where they face Pakistan in a three-match ODI series.More: https://t.co/g6WGIZQeCL pic.twitter.com/XWSOIWBQxu

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) August 7, 2021

Click here to read more about the 2021 T20 World Cup host UAE.

The media manager confirmed that the series against Pakistan will go on as planned, from September 1-5.

"We are already set to play Pakistan in Hambantota and that series is also on," said the media manager. "Also, we are planning to go ahead with the domestic T20 tournament which shall boost preparations for the players ahead of the T20 World Cup.

"We are always there to help our players and their families. We will do whatever is possible for them. Things are not affected much in Kabul, we are already back in the office, so there is nothing to worry about," he added.

Afghanistan's #Squad for the three-match ICC ODI Super League matches against @TheRealPCB in September #AFGvPAK pic.twitter.com/03elqNltGZ

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) July 23, 2021

Afghanistan squad for T20 World Cup have ensured direct qualification for the T20 World Cup and have been drawn in Group 2 along with Pakistan, New Zealand, India and two more teams that will join following the conclusion of the qualification round.