The Quaid-e-Azam trophy starts in October and the Afghans are pressing ahead with plans to enter a team.

"They had made a request to us that they wanted to take part in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and we accepted it," said Brigadier Munawwar Rana, a senior official of the Pakistan Cricket Board of Control.

"Since they have confirmed their participation, we have included them.

"But whether they are able to take part in the competition physically, I think, depends entirely on the circumstances."

Afghanistan is facing a possible military strike from the United States for refusing to hand over Osama bin Laden, chief suspect in the attacks on New York and Washington.

Club teams in Pakistan have played numerous games against Afghan sides in the past, and the PCB has also lobbied to get Afghanistan affiliate membership of the International Cricket Council.