Afghanistan will host India for a three-match T20I series in September, with matches set to take place in Delhi.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium is chosen for the games, tentatively scheduled for September 13, 16, and 19, ahead of the Asian Games starting September 23 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. A source confirmed that both Cricket boards agreed to the series, though an official announcement is still awaited.
“BCCI and ACB have a strong relationship. BCCI has assisted other boards like Ireland, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe by arranging tours. An understanding has been reached between BCCI and ACB regarding this series. An official announcement will follow soon,” a BCCI source told the Times of India, as reported by the Hindustan Times.
Even though the series is in India, arrangements are being made in collaboration with the Delhi District Cricket Association. Afghanistan has previously hosted games in India and the UAE due to logistical and security issues.
“BCCI facilitated an agreement between ACB and the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) to serve as Afghanistan’s home base for the series. The DDCA is also aligning its Delhi Premier League T20 schedule accordingly,” the source explained.
As the BCCI prepares to select a 15-member team for the Asian Games, this series will provide crucial practice for the squad.
“The schedule has been given to India’s national selection committee to choose the 15-member T20 squad for the Asian Games at the end of September. The cricket events at the Asian Games begin on September 23. The selectors will finalize the team based on this,” the source added.
India previously hosted Afghanistan in June for one Test and three ODIs. The idea for this T20I series emerged after the ACB proposed a return tour to the BCCI.