The United States will permanently close its consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan, according to the State Department. The facility has served as America's closest diplomatic mission to the Afghan border.

The closure represents a significant reduction in U.S. diplomatic presence in the region, particularly given Peshawar's proximity to Afghanistan. The consulate has historically played an important role in American diplomatic and consular operations related to the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's cricket team continues to face challenges related to hosting international matches on home soil. The Afghanistan Cricket Board has scheduled a limited-overs series against Sri Lanka to be played in the United Arab Emirates, with the matches designated as Afghanistan's "home" fixtures.

The cricket series will consist of three One Day Internationals and three Twenty20 international matches. The UAE has frequently served as a neutral venue for teams unable to host matches in their home countries due to security or political considerations.

Both developments highlight ongoing diplomatic and sporting challenges in the region following recent political changes in Afghanistan.