India to Host Afghanistan For 3-Match T20I Series From September 13

India and Afghanistan will play a three-match T20 International series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi from September 13 to 17, 2026, the Afghanistan Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India have announced. The matches are scheduled for September 13, 15 and 17 and will be Afghanistan's designated home fixtures under the Future Tours Programme. The series will also occupy dates that could have been used for India's proposed white-ball tour of Bangladesh, which remains uncertain amid tensions between the two cricket boards.

The upcoming T20Is will complete India's bilateral commitments against Afghanistan across all three formats this year. India hosted Afghanistan for a Test and an ODI series in June, with the September fixtures adding three T20Is to the schedule. BCCI President Mithun Manhas reiterated India's commitment to supporting the development of Afghan cricket and maintaining regular bilateral competition. BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia also highlighted the importance of the series following the earlier Test and ODI assignments.

The three matches will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, with Delhi and District Cricket Association President Rohan Jaitley assuring fans of high-quality facilities for the contests. The series will feature Afghanistan's leading players, including Rashid Khan, and provide both teams with another opportunity for international T20 cricket ahead of their future commitments. The scheduling also means India's September calendar now has three confirmed international fixtures against Afghanistan.

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The development has raised fresh questions over India's postponed tour of Bangladesh. Bangladesh remains hopeful that the proposed white-ball series can still be revived, with the country's new government attempting to resolve the deadlock through diplomatic discussions. Bangladesh Sports Minister Aminul Haque said the matter was being addressed at the ministerial level and expressed hope that discussions between the two countries would help restore sporting relations. Bangladesh Cricket Board President Tamim Iqbal has also indicated that his country remains ready to host the Indian team.

The dispute stems from Bangladesh's decision not to send its team to India for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The previous Bangladeshi government cited concerns over the safety and well-being of its players, resulting in Bangladesh being replaced by Scotland in the tournament. A subsequent change in government has opened the possibility of repairing relations, with cricket being viewed as an avenue for sports diplomacy. However, sources said the BCCI would need to consult the Indian government before considering any proposal from Bangladesh regarding the postponed series.

With India's September schedule now committed to the Afghanistan T20Is, Bangladesh may need to identify another window if the proposed tour is revived. The two cricket boards would have to agree on new dates that fit India's international calendar. For now, the Afghanistan series is the only confirmed bilateral assignment for India in that September window, while Bangladesh continues diplomatic and cricketing efforts to secure clarity on its proposed home series against India.

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