Ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan and Bangladesh are reportedly planning a three-match T20I series in the UAE in October 2025. While official confirmation is pending, conversations between the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) are underway, with an early October date being considered for the series.
This proposed T20I series is a continuation of the initially planned all-format tour, which was scheduled for July 2024. That visit was meant to include two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is, but was later reduced to a white-ball series owing to scheduling and weather issues. The alternative plan to hold the matches in Greater Noida, India, also failed due to rainy season issues and Bangladesh’s hectic schedule.
Eventually, the sides played a three-match ODI series in the UAE in November 2024, with Afghanistan winning 2-1.
However, the postponed T20Is are expected to take place after both boards expressed a desire to restart the remaining leg. According to BCB and ACB authorities, discussions for the rescheduled T20I leg have begun.
“We have already started our discussion with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) regarding the series that was postponed earlier and hope to discuss further after Ramadan and we are hoping to play three T20Is as we are considering it as part of our preparation for the T20 World Cup,” according to a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) spokesperson.
Series will act as a preparatory platform for the T20 World Cup
An ACB spokesman further stated that the series may take place between October 2 and 12, indicating a possible opportunity in the ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP). If confirmed, the series will fall between the Asia Cup in September and Bangladesh’s home series against the West Indies, which is slated for late October.
For both countries, the series will act as a warm-up for the T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in early 2026. Afghanistan has a busy itinerary coming up to the major tournament, with visits to Zimbabwe, the West Indies, and New Zealand planned. Meanwhile, Bangladesh is aggressively working to fine-tune its squad combinations.
This will also be the first T20I match between the two sides since their confrontation at the T20 World Cup 2024 in Kingstown, where Afghanistan won and advanced to the semi-finals.
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