New Delhi: Afghanistan are set to host India for the first time in cricket history, with plans to host a three-match T20I series in the Indian capital later this year.
The matches are scheduled to be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on September 13, 16 and 19, though official confirmation is still awaited.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) with a proposal for the tour again, building on the strong relationship between the two boards.
A BCCI source said the two boards have come to an understanding and there are only formalities ahead of an official announcement.
“BCCI and ACB share a good relationship. BCCI is helping other boards like Ireland, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe by sending Indian teams to play series in support of cricket development and funding. An understanding has been reached in this regard and an official announcement will be made as soon as some rounds are completed,” the source said.
The BCCI helped finalize venue arrangements for Afghanistan’s designated home series between the ACB and the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).
“DTCA is changing its Delhi Premier League T20 schedule accordingly,” the source added.
Afghanistan have been using India and the United Arab Emirates as their home venues for international matches for the past decade due to geopolitical challenges in their home country.
They previously hosted Ireland in Greater Noida in 2017 and Bangladesh in Dehradun in 2018.
After shifting the base to the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan then played a Test against New Zealand in Greater Noida in September 2024, which was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to an unplayable outfield following heavy rain.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan are set to tour India between June 6 and 20 for a lengthy white-ball assignment that includes just one Test and a three-match ODI series.
Experienced batsman Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the team in both formats.
The Test match will be played in New Chandigarh from June 6 to 10, the ODI series in Dharamsala on June 14, followed by matches in Lucknow and Chennai on June 17 and 20.