The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has decided to host Bangladesh for six white-ball games in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after the end of the Asia Cup 2025 on September 28. The three fixtures of the shortest format will be played on October 02, 03, and 05 in Sharjah, while the ODIs will take place on October 08, 11, and 14 in Abu Dhabi.

It has been reported that Bangladesh could stay back in the UAE after the end of the event to play the bilateral series. Both sides are part of the second group along with Sri Lanka and Hong Kong, and will face each other on September 16 in Abu Dhabi. Only the top two sides from each group will make it to the Super Four stage of the competition.

See Also: BCCI shares special message after Cheteshwar Pujara's international retirement

India, Pakistan, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates are in the first group. The upcoming Afghanistan vs Bangladesh series will be the second part of what was expected to be an all-format trip in July last year, comprised of two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is.

Afghanistan announces dates for three ODIs and three T20Is against Bangladesh

The schedule was later revised to include the white-ball games, while the series was later postponed to the foul weather in Greater Noida, India, due to Bangladesh’s packed schedule. The two teams have had a rivalry between themselves for the last couple of years, especially since Afghanistan started to do well in the white-ball events.

Both sides have played each other in four bilateral ODI series, with the head-to-head record being leveled at 2-2. Bangladesh won the 2016 and 2022 series, while the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side pocketed the series in 2023 and 2024. It’s level in the bilateral T20I series with Afghanistan, winning in 2018. Bangladesh won in 2023, and a tied series took place three years ago.

Bangladesh tour of Afghanistan 2025

While Afghanistan have a more than a year-long plan to host the T20I series against Bangladesh, it is likely to sort out soon, as the hosting nation of the series has reportedly been sorted out.

UAE will host Afghanistan vs Bangladesh T20I series in October: Report

According to the recent ESPNcricinfo report, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is likely to host the three-match T20I series between Afghanistan and Bangladesh this October. The series dates are yet to be confirmed, but it is likely to be played after the Asia Cup 2025, which is likely to be played in September.

Bangladesh will host the West Indies for a three-match ODI and another three-match T20I series, starting on October 15. Meanwhile, Afghanistan have a full tour schedule of Zimbabwe, potentially starting at the end of October. So, the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh T20I series is likely to be played before their respective planned schedules. 

See Also: Big news on West Indies regarding their participation in LA Olympics 2028

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh full series was originally planned for July 2024

Originally, Afghanistan had planned to host a two-match Test series, a three-match ODI series, and a three-match T20I series against Bangladesh back in July 2024. While the Indian city Greater Noida was Afghanistan's hosting venue, those series were postponed due to weather conditions and a packed international cricket schedule for Bangladesh. Later, Sharjah hosted the three-match ODI series in November 2024, where Afghanistan won by 2-1.

Now, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) are close to finalising their T20I series, and the UAE is likely to host it as the hosting nation for Afghanistan. Both teams want this T20I series, as they feel that it will be a strong preparation for them before the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which India and Sri Lanka will jointly host in February-March 2026.

It will be their first T20I meeting after their meeting in the Super Eights of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, where Afghanistan won by eight runs (DLS method) to qualify for the Semi-finals of the tournament. However, before this T20I series, there is a strong chance that they will face each other in the Asia Cup 2025.  

On the other hand, their two-match Test series is yet to be scheduled. According to the ESPNcricinfo report, this Test series is likely to be scheduled for next year.