Afghanistan confirm Bangladesh Test, tri-series in October

The Tigers will resume their international campaign with a busy assignment in the United Arab Emirates in October.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) today confirmed an extensive international cricket schedule in the UAE for October and November 2026, featuring a one-off Test against Bangladesh and an ODI tri-nation series involving all three teams, followed by a three-match T20I series and a two-match Test series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe.

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Bangladesh team were originally scheduled to host India for three ODIs and three T20Is in September, but the series was postponed. As a result, Bangladesh have been away from international cricket for almost a month.

Their international commitments will resume later this month with the Asian Games. Following the Games, the Bangladesh team will travel to the UAE for a multi-format programme.

Bangladesh will begin their UAE campaign with a one-off Test against Afghanistan from October 9 to 13.

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The Test will be followed by an ODI tri-nation series featuring Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. Bangladesh will face Zimbabwe on October 17 before taking on Afghanistan on October 21. Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will meet on October 19, with the top two teams advancing to the final on October 23.

After the ODI tournament, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will play a three-match T20I series on October 27, 29 and November 1. The two sides will then contest a two-match Test series, with the first Test scheduled for November 5-9 and the second from November 13-17.

The UAE assignment will give Bangladesh an opportunity to play Test cricket in unfamiliar conditions while also providing valuable preparation in the limited-overs formats.

BCB CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said the Test against Afghanistan would be particularly significant for Bangladesh.

“The Test match and the tri-nation series promise an exciting period of cricket for fans in both Bangladesh and Afghanistan. We attach great importance to Tests, and this will be an excellent opportunity for our players to experience red-ball cricket in the UAE for the first time and challenge themselves against a formidable Afghanistan side that has traditionally performed well in these conditions,” he said.

He also thanked the Afghanistan Cricket Board for arranging the tour and tri-series, adding that the ODI tournament “promises to be a highly competitive tournament.”

ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said the programme would provide Afghanistan with valuable opportunities across formats.

“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,” he said.

Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Givemore Makoni also described the programme as an important opportunity for his side, particularly in the longer format.

The schedule will begin with Afghanistan taking on Bangladesh in the one-off Test on October 9, with the ODI tri-series starting eight days later.

For Bangladesh, the UAE tour will mark the return to international cricket after a relatively quiet period and will offer a challenging start to the next phase of their calendar.

Schedule
                                                                                         
Oct 9–13    Afghanistan vs Bangladesh — One-off Test     

Oct 17    Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe — ODI Tri-Nation Series, 1st match       
Oct 19    Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe — ODI Tri-Nation Series, 2nd match      
Oct 21    Afghanistan vs Bangladesh — ODI Tri-Nation Series, 3rd match    
Oct 23    Tri-Nation Series Final    

Oct 27          Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe — 1st T20I    
Oct 29          Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe — 2nd T20I    
Nov 1            Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe — 3rd T20I   
Nov 5–9       Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe — 1st Test    
Nov 13–17     Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe — 2nd Test