Cricket scheduling across multiple international programs has been disrupted by escalating tensions in the Middle East following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks across the region, forcing teams and boards to rethink planned tours and series in the United Arab Emirates.
England Women have relocated a major training camp and intra-squad series away from the United Arab Emirates, while Sri Lanka have cancelled a scheduled white-ball series against Afghanistan that was also due to take place in the UAE.
Both developments highlight how security concerns tied to the regional conflict are already impacting cricket’s international calendar.
England women move preparation tour from UAE to South Africa
England Women had originally planned to travel to Abu Dhabi for a preparatory training block and competitive intra-squad series ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup later this year.
However, the trip has been moved to Pretoria in South Africa, where 30 players will instead participate in a five-match internal T20 competition between March 10 and March 27.
The series forms a key component of England’s preparations for a busy international summer and will see players split into two 15-member teams named after former World Cup-winning England greats Jan Brittin and Rachael Heyhoe Flint.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt will lead Team Brittin, while vice-captain Charlie Dean will captain Team Heyhoe Flint. Jon Lewis will coach Team Brittin and Luke Williams will coach Team Heyhoe Flint, with Head Coach Charlotte Edwards overseeing both squads.
The matches are intended to introduce competitive match pressure into England’s preparation phase after earlier skill-focused camps earlier this year.
“We’ve had two training camps this year, in Oman and Stellenbosch, which focused on skills. Adding a more competitive element is our next step and I’m really pleased with how the group is coming along ahead of a massive summer,” Edwards said in a statement.
The England Head Coach also stressed that the intra-squad matches will play a significant role in shaping the squad for the global tournament.
“This is a big opportunity for every player involved to put their hand up and demonstrate that they’re an invaluable part of our World Cup plans,” Edwards added.
Eight players travelling to South Africa are yet to make their senior England debut, offering selectors an opportunity to assess emerging talent in competitive conditions.
Among those included are Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Davina Perrin, Jodi Grewcock, Grace Scrivens, Grace Potts, Alexa Stonehouse, Rhianna Southby and Ellie Threlkeld.
Edwards added that the competitive format is designed to give both established players and newcomers the same opportunity to prove themselves.
“It’s the same chance for every player, whether they’re new to the team or they’ve played 100 games. We want to use this series as a chance to stretch ourselves and put ourselves under pressure in competitive match situations,” she stated.
England have not played a competitive match since October and the Pretoria series is expected to provide crucial preparation before hosting New Zealand and India in white-ball series ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which runs from June 12 to July 5.
Sri Lanka cancel Afghanistan white-ball series in UAE
The same regional tensions have also affected another scheduled international series in the United Arab Emirates.
Sri Lanka have postponed their planned white-ball tour against Afghanistan, which had been scheduled to take place between March 13 and March 25 across Sharjah and Dubai.
The series was set to feature three T20 Internationals followed by three One-Day Internationals, with the T20Is scheduled for March 13, 15 and 17 in Sharjah before the ODI leg in Dubai.
According to journalist Roshan Abeysinghe, Sri Lanka Cricket decided to cancel the series as a precaution amid the escalating conflict in the region and ongoing uncertainty surrounding security conditions.
Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to postpone the upcoming T20 and ODI series against Afghanistan in Sharjah and Dubai due to the current situation – Sources –
— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket) March 7, 2026
Reports indicated the escalating regional conflict had created operational disruptions in parts of the UAE, including concerns surrounding airport activity and nearby drone strikes.
Afghanistan had already confirmed their squads for the series prior to the postponement.
Afghanistan had already named squads after captaincy change
The Afghanistan Cricket Board had announced both T20I and ODI squads for the tour, marking the team’s first assignment following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The squad announcement also followed a leadership change in Afghanistan’s T20 setup, with Rashid Khan removed as T20I Captain and Ibrahim Zadran appointed as his replacement.
Afghanistan’s T20I squad for the planned series included Ibrahim Zadran (Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper), Noor Rahman (Wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Ahmad Malik and Abdullah Ahmadzai.
The ODI squad featured Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Rahmat Shah (Vice-Captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicketkeeper), Ikram Alikhil (Wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Ahmad Malik and Bilal Sami.
The postponement leaves both teams without their planned bilateral assignment as cricket boards continue to monitor the evolving geopolitical situation affecting travel and tournament logistics in the region.
