India’s proposed white-ball tour of Bangladesh has created uncertainty over the India vs Afghanistan T20I series scheduled for September. Afghanistan plan to host India in a three-match T20I series in New Delhi. However, the final schedule now depends on the BCCI’s decision over India’s long-delayed Bangladesh tour.
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) selected India as the venue because Afghanistan still cannot host international matches at home. Organisers currently plan to stage all three matches at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wants India to tour Bangladesh between September 1 and September 13 for a white-ball series. Consequently, that tour could force the BCCI to adjust the India vs Afghanistan T20I series schedule.
Recent political developments have increased optimism that the Bangladesh tour will go ahead. Reports on Friday said India had invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to attend the BRICS Summit in September. As a result, cricket officials believe the bilateral series has become more likely.
Even so, India have very little room to change their calendar.
The Asian Games cricket competition starts on September 24. Meanwhile, India begin a home series against the West Indies on September 27. Therefore, the BCCI could only postpone the Afghanistan series by a few days rather than move it much later.
Officials will now wait for the Indian government’s guidance before confirming the schedule.
The India vs Afghanistan T20I series will mark a historic occasion for Afghanistan cricket. It will be the country’s first home bilateral series against India.
The series also stands out because of its broadcasting arrangements.
Afghanistan are the official hosts. Therefore, JioStar’s domestic India rights do not apply. Instead, FanCode owns the digital streaming rights. Meanwhile, Zee and Sony Sports remain interested in the television package. JioStar could still enter the bidding before the rights are finalised.
ITW Universe is managing the commercial and media rights for the series. Co-founder Bhairav Shanth said the ACB and BCCI had already agreed on the hosting arrangements.
He confirmed organisers plan to stage all three matches in New Delhi. He added that the ACB will oversee match operations and logistics, while ITW Universe will handle commercial activities.
Shanth described the India vs Afghanistan T20I series as a landmark event. He said Afghanistan had never before hosted India in a bilateral series, making the upcoming contest another significant milestone for Afghan cricket.
