The Afghanistan Cricket Board has confirmed the dates and venue for its three-match T20I collection towards India, a growth that has made India’s proposed white-ball tour of Bangladesh more and more unlikely to proceed. Afghanistan will formally host India for the primary time in a bilateral collection, though all three matches shall be staged on the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The T20Is have been scheduled for September 13, 15 and 17.
The ACB communicated the schedule to its industrial companions by a letter despatched on Monday, August 10. The board stated the dates had been mentioned and agreed upon with the Board of Management for Cricket in India, regardless that a public announcement from the related authorities stays pending.
“The ACB hereby confirms that the India tour of Afghanistan 2026 (Occasion) is scheduled to happen from September 13 to September 17. The ACB additional confirms that the dates of the Occasion have been confirmed and agreed with the BCCI and the venues of the scheduled matches have additionally been finalised,” ACB CEO Naseeb Khan wrote within the letter accessed by Cricbuzz. The formal affirmation carries wider penalties for India’s worldwide calendar as a result of the opening Afghanistan T20I clashes straight with the ultimate match of the proposed Bangladesh tour.
Bangladesh tour turns into just about inconceivable
India had been scheduled to reach in Bangladesh on August 28 for 3 ODIs and three T20Is. The ODI matches had been earmarked for September 1, 3 and 6, adopted by the T20Is on September 9, 12 and 13. The third Bangladesh T20I and the opening Afghanistan T20I are subsequently each scheduled for September 13. Even with out the direct conflict, taking part in in Bangladesh on September 12 or 13 earlier than starting one other worldwide collection in Delhi would go away India with an impractical journey and restoration schedule.
Except the Bangladesh itinerary is considerably rearranged, shortened or postponed, the tour is unlikely to happen. A final-minute intervention from the 2 governments stays theoretically potential, however the ACB’s declaration that its dates have been agreed with the BCCI signifies that the Afghanistan collection has now been given priority.
The ACB additionally knowledgeable broadcasters and industrial companions that they might start making ready for the collection. “Whereas an official public announcement concerning the occasion is but to be made by the involved authorities, the ACB is issuing this letter as an official affirmation of the scheduled dates and venues of the India tour of Afghanistan 2026. Accordingly all media rights holders might proceed with their advance planning, scheduling and manufacturing preparations, useful resource allocation, promotional actions and different associated preparations primarily based on the above schedule,” the board acknowledged.
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ITW Universe, which owns the media rights, is holding discussions with JioStar, Sony Sports activities and Zee Unite8 over the linear broadcast rights. FanCode holds the digital rights. The ACB has additionally approached the BCCI about shifting both the primary or second match to September 14, coinciding with Ganesh Chaturthi. Nonetheless, such a one-day adjustment would nonetheless not make the Bangladesh tour possible below its current schedule.
“I might not wish to remark prematurely on any potential date changes that the Afghanistan Cricket Board could also be contemplating. Ought to such a growth materialise, aligning this historic collection with Ganesh Chaturthi — a day of latest beginnings, devotion and celebration throughout India — could be a considerate and gracious gesture from the ACB, reflecting the spirit of friendship that cricket continues to foster between India and Afghanistan,” ITW co-founder Bhairav Shanth stated.
Shanth described the collection as an vital second for Afghanistan cricket. “This marks a landmark second — Afghanistan formally internet hosting India in a bilateral collection for the primary time. ITW Universe, along with our world-class companions, shall be producing the published and bringing a number of visible and storytelling upgrades that followers have by no means skilled earlier than.”
