India vs Afghanistan T20I series dates confirmed; Direct clash leaves Bangladesh tour facing near-certain cancellation

Afghanistan confirmed three T20Is against India in Delhi from September 13, leaving the proposed Bangladesh tour facing cancellation due to direct date clash.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has confirmed the dates and venue for its three-match T20I series against India, a development that has made India’s proposed white-ball tour of Bangladesh increasingly unlikely to proceed. Afghanistan will officially host India for the first time in a bilateral series, although all three matches will be staged at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The T20Is have been scheduled for September 13, 15 and 17.

Rashid Khan tosses the ball in the air as he prepares to bowl during a match between Afghanistan and India. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

The ACB communicated the schedule to its commercial partners through a letter sent on Monday, August 10. The board said the dates had been discussed and agreed upon with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, even though a public announcement from the relevant authorities remains pending.

“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 in the letter accessed by Cricbuzz. The formal confirmation carries wider consequences for India’s international calendar because the opening Afghanistan T20I clashes directly with the final match of the proposed Bangladesh tour.

Bangladesh tour becomes virtually impossible

India had been scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on August 28 for three ODIs and three T20Is. The ODI matches were earmarked for September 1, 3 and 6, followed by the T20Is on September 9, 12 and 13. The third Bangladesh T20I and the opening Afghanistan T20I are therefore both scheduled for September 13. Even without the direct clash, playing in Bangladesh on September 12 or 13 before beginning another international series in Delhi would leave India with an impractical travel and recovery schedule.

Unless the Bangladesh itinerary is substantially rearranged, shortened or postponed, the tour is unlikely to take place. A last-minute intervention from the two governments remains theoretically possible, but the ACB’s declaration that its dates have been agreed with the BCCI indicates that the Afghanistan series has now been given precedence.

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,” the board stated.

ITW Universe, which owns the media rights, is holding discussions with JioStar, Sony Sports and Zee Unite8 over the linear broadcast rights. FanCode holds the digital rights. The ACB has also approached the BCCI about moving either the first or second match to September 14, coinciding with Ganesh Chaturthi. However, such a one-day adjustment would still not make the Bangladesh tour feasible under its present schedule.

“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,” ITW co-founder Bhairav Shanth said.

Shanth described the series as an important moment for Afghanistan cricket. “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.”