NEW DELHI: For the first time in their cricket history, Afghanistan are set to host India in an international series later this year. However, the venue will be in the national capital of India. Sources have revealed that plans are underway for Afghanistan to host three T20Is against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in September. An official announcement is awaited, but the matches are scheduled to be played on September 13, 16, and 19.
Background of the Series
Afghanistan are currently touring India for a one-off Test and three ODIs starting from June 6. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) approached the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) for a return tour. A BCCI source stated, "BCCI and ACB share a good relationship. BCCI has been helping other boards like Ireland, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe by sending Indian teams to play a series there to boost the finances of those boards. An understanding has been reached between BCCI and ACB in this regard. An official announcement will be made after a few modalities are completed."
Venue and Logistics
The BCCI mediated an understanding between ACB and the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) for the availability of the Arun Jaitley Stadium as the home base for Afghanistan for the series. The DDCA is also scheduling its Delhi Premier League T20 accordingly. Afghanistan have been playing their home games in India and UAE over the last decade due to persisting geopolitical issues in their home country.
Previously, Afghanistan hosted Ireland in a series in Greater Noida in 2017 before hosting Bangladesh for a T20I series in Dehradun in 2018. They moved their base to UAE after that before scheduling a Test match against a full-strength New Zealand team in Greater Noida in September 2024. That match was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a poor outfield after a day of rain two days before the Test. Afghanistan played their next home series in Sharjah.
Impact on Asian Games Squad
The itinerary has been shared with India's national selection committee since they have to pick a 15-member T20 team for the Asian Games in late September. The cricket event at the Asian Games is due to start on September 23. The selectors will pick the team accordingly, taking into account the T20I series against Afghanistan.
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