India's planned white-ball visit to Bangladesh is now less likely to happen after the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) established the dates and location of its three-match T20I series against India.
All three games will take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, as Afghanistan will formally host India for the first time in a bilateral series. The dates of the T20I series are September 13, 15, and 17.
On Monday, August 10, the ACB addressed a letter to its business partners outlining the schedule. Although a public announcement from the relevant authorities is still awaited, the board stated that the dates had been discussed and agreed upon by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“The ACB hereby confirms that the India tour of Afghanistan 2026 (Event) is scheduled to take place from September 13 to September 17. The ACB further confirms that the dates of the Event have been confirmed and agreed with the BCCI and the venues of the scheduled matches have also been finalised,” ACB CEO Naseeb Khan wrote to the board’s commercial partners in a letter, accessed by Cricbuzz.
With the Afghanistan board’s formal confirmation, India’s tour of Bangladesh is more or less cancelled. India was slated to come to Bangladesh on August 28 for three ODIs and three T20Is. The ODIs were scheduled for September 1, 3, and 6, followed by T20Is on September 9, 12, and 13. As a result, both the third Bangladesh T20I and the first Afghanistan T20I will take place on September 13.
The ACB also informed broadcasters and commercial partners that they could begin preparing for the series.
“While an official public announcement regarding the event is yet to be made by the concerned authorities, the ACB is issuing this letter as an official confirmation of the scheduled dates and venues of the India tour of Afghanistan 2026. Accordingly, all media rights holders may proceed with their advance planning, scheduling and production arrangements, resource allocation, promotional activities and other related preparations based on the above schedule,” ACB added.
Even without the clash, playing in Bangladesh on September 12 or 13 would leave India with an impractical travel and recovery schedule. Unless the Bangladesh board severely shortens or reschedules the India series, the tour is unlikely to take place.
ITW Universe, which holds the media rights, is in talks with JioStar, Sony Sports, and Zee Unite8 over linear broadcast rights. FanCode owns the digital rights.
The ACB has also urged the BCCI to move either the first or second match to September 14, which coincides with Ganesh Chaturthi. However, even a one-day change would not make the Bangladesh visit practicable under the current itinerary.
“I would not like to comment prematurely on any potential date adjustments that the Afghanistan Cricket Board may be considering. Should such a development materialise, aligning this historic series with Ganesh Chaturthi — a day of new beginnings, devotion and celebration across India — would be a thoughtful and gracious gesture from the ACB, reflecting the spirit of friendship that cricket continues to foster between India and Afghanistan.
This marks a landmark moment — Afghanistan officially hosting India in a bilateral series for the first time. ITW Universe, together with our world-class partners, will be producing the broadcast and bringing several visual and storytelling upgrades that fans have never experienced before,” ITW co-founder Bhairav Shanth said.
Afghanistan had recently toured India for a one-off Test and a first-ever ODI series between the two sides.
(Cricbuzz inputs)
