Afghanistan to Host Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in UAE for Three-Format Home Season

Afghanistan are set for a busy home season, with Bangladesh and Zimbabwe scheduled to tour the UAE for a series of matches across all three formats between October and November 2026.

All matches will be played in the United Arab Emirates, which has regularly served as Afghanistan’s home venue, although the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is yet to confirm the specific venues.

The packed schedule will begin with a one-off Test against Bangladesh from October 9 to 13. The match will take place just six days after the Asian Games T20 final in Japan, meaning Afghanistan could potentially move quickly from the multi-sport event into Test cricket if they progress deep into the tournament.

ODI Tri-Series to Follow

An ODI tri-series involving Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will follow the Test match.

The tri-series will begin on October 17, with Bangladesh taking on Zimbabwe. Afghanistan will then face Zimbabwe on October 19 before playing Bangladesh on October 21.

The top two teams will qualify for the final, scheduled for October 23.

The tournament will provide all three sides with valuable preparation and competitive cricket ahead of their respective international commitments.

Zimbabwe Series to Feature T20Is and Tests

Afghanistan will then face Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series.

The first T20I will be played on October 27, followed by the second on October 29, with the final match scheduled for November 1.

The two sides will then switch formats for a two-Test series. The first Test is scheduled for November 5-9, while the second will take place from November 13-17.

The demanding schedule means Afghanistan will play international cricket across all three formats within a little over a month.

Afghanistan Set for Record Test Year

The upcoming assignments will also mark a significant milestone for Afghanistan’s Test programme.

Afghanistan have already played one Test this year, against India in New Chandigarh in June. The three additional Tests against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will take their total to four Test matches in 2026, the highest number they have played in a single calendar year.

Afghanistan have faced Bangladesh twice in Test cricket, winning one and losing one. Against Zimbabwe, they have played five Tests, recording two victories, two defeats and one draw.

ACB Welcomes Busy International Calendar

ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan welcomed the confirmation of the schedule and said the series would provide Afghanistan’s players with valuable exposure across formats.

“We are pleased to confirm this important period of international cricket for the Afghanistan National Team,” Khan said.

“Playing Bangladesh and Zimbabwe across different formats will provide our players with valuable competitive opportunities and offer our supporters an exciting period of international cricket.”

Khan also stressed the ACB’s commitment to maintaining regular international fixtures for the national team.

“The Afghanistan Cricket Board remains committed to providing our national team with regular, high-quality international cricket. We highly value our relationships with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and Zimbabwe Cricket and appreciate their cooperation in making these important assignments possible,” he added.

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh and Zimbabwe: UAE Schedule

• October 9-13: One-off Test — Afghanistan vs Bangladesh

• October 17: ODI — Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe
• October 19: ODI — Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe
• October 21: ODI — Afghanistan vs Bangladesh
• October 23: ODI tri-series final
• October 27: 1st T20I — Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe
• October 29: 2nd T20I — Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe
• November 1: 3rd T20I — Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe
• November 5-9: 1st Test — Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe
• November 13-17: 2nd Test — Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe

The UAE-hosted programme promises to be one of Afghanistan’s busiest stretches of international cricket, while also giving Bangladesh and Zimbabwe an opportunity to gain valuable match practice across multiple formats.