UAE likely to host Afghanistan-Bangladesh white-ball series in October

Afghanistan are likely to host Bangladesh for a series of three ODIs and three T20Is in the UAE in October. The tour dates are not yet confirmed, but ESPNcricinfo has learned that the matches could take place after the Asia Cup in September, and before Bangladesh host West Indies in six white-ball matches in the third week of October.

If the series goes ahead, it will complete the second part of what was originally supposed to be an all-format engagement in July 2024, comprising two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is. The schedule was initially revised to include only white-ball matches, but that series, due to be played in Greater Noida, was postponed with weather conditions and Bangladesh's packed schedule in mind. The teams played the three-match ODI leg of the tour in November 2024, with Afghanistan winning 2-1.

ESPNcricinfo understands that the ACB and BCB are in discussions about playing the two Tests sometime next year.

The T20I series, especially, will be an important addition to the two teams' run-up to the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February-March 2026.

The series will also fill a gap in Afghanistan's schedule between the Asia Cup and a full tour of Zimbabwe scheduled to start at the end of October. After that, they have three T20Is each against West Indies and New Zealand in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup.

The series will be the first meeting between these teams in the format since their T20 World Cup clash in June 2024 in Kingstown, where Afghanistan's thrilling win sealed their passage to their first-ever semi-finals appearance at a World Cup.