Dates, form, head-to-head, squads and more ahead of the three-match 20-over series between Afghanistan and Pakistan...
A three-match T20I series between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
All three T20Is are taking place at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah.
1st T20I: Friday, March 24 - Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah (8pm local, 4pm GMT)
2nd T20I: Sunday, March 26 - Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah (9pm local, 5pm GMT)
3rd T20I: Monday, March 27 - Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah (9pm local, 5pm GMT)
Afghanistan come into the matches off the back of a narrow series win over the United Arab Emirates, a three-match contest decided thanks to a six-wicket victory in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan, meanwhile, have not played a T20I since they lost the T20 World Cup final to England in Melbourne. But there will be no feeling of being undercooked, with their players have been involved in a pulsating PSL won by Lahore Qalandars.
Mohammad Nabi returns for Afghanistan (ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)
Host city Sharjah is a familiar setting for both countries, for a series which lacks wider context due to the upcoming ODI World Cup. Nevertheless, it will act as an informative experience for Afghanistan's players and a Pakistan second-string, due to the omission of several big-name players.
The first multi-game bilateral series between the nations is set against a troubled political history and angry clashes between rivals fans and players during the recent Asia Cup meeting. Alongside crowd trouble, Asif Ali and Fareed Ahmad were fined by the ICC for an altercation on the field.
Extra security and segregation of supporters at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium will be in place to ensure the scenes are not repeated
Pakistan have won all seven previous meetings (three T20Is, four ODIs) but the teams have been closely matched in recent times. That aforementioned Asia Cup clash was one by a single wicket, less than a year on from the dramatic World Cup victory in Sharjah.
Pakistan are without a number of key players who have been rested following the PSL and ahead of a busy year headlined by the 2023 ODI World Cup. Captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi have been left out, with Shadab Khan appointed skipper.
For Afghanistan, the uncapped Sediqullah Atal has been called up and former captain Mohammad Nabi returns to the group. Rashid Khan took over the captaincy of the side from Nabi, who stepped down from the role following the T20 World Cup.
Afghanistan and Pakistan return to Sharaja - scene of their 2021 World Cup meeting (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Rahmat Shah and Hazratullah Zazai have been dropped from the squad an there is no place for Qais Ahmad, Darwish Rasooli and Mohammad Saleem, who all featured in the recent UAE series.
Imad Wasim has returned to the Pakistan squad due to his excellent PSL 8 tournament, when he finished as the best allrounder, scoring over 400 runs and taking nine wickets.
Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Fareed Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Usman Ghani, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Naveen-ul-Haq, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai
Pakistan: Shadab Khan (c), Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Ihsanullah, Azam Khan, Zaman Khan, Shan Masood, Mohammad Nawaz, Abdullah Shafique, Naseem Shah, Tayyab Tahir, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Wasim
Matches played: 3
Afghanistan wins: 0
Pakistan wins: 3
Can Rahmanullah Gurbaz inspire Afghanistan? (ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)
There are warm conditions expected across the three matches, with temperatures of around 25 to 30 degrees celsius expected.
Pakistan are favourites to win the first T20I, with odds of 1/2 with Paddy Power. Afghanistan are underdogs with odds of 13/8.
This will be a very tightly contested series with Afghanistan taking on an underpowered Pakistan. While the tourists might come out as series winners, don't be surprised if Rashid's side break their losing run.
GeoSuper TV, PTV Sports, Vidly TV and Tamasha will show the series in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Etisalat and RTA Sports will broadcast every ball for fans in Afghanistan.
Those wishing to follow the action from India can do so via the streaming service Fancode.
BT Sport 3 is the place to go for fans in the UK and Ireland
For those in Canada, the series is being shown on ATN Cricket Plus, while USA-based followers need to tune into ESPN+
Fox Sports are carrying the footage in Australia and in Malaysia Astro is the place to go.
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.