Afghanistan to host Bangladesh and Zimbabwe for multi-format series in UAE

Afghanistan to host Bangladesh and Zimbabwe for multi-format series in UAE (Photo by Darrian Traynor-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

The Afghanistan Cricket Board announced on Tuesday, September 8 that Afghanistan will host Bangladesh and Zimbabwe for a multi-format international programme in the United Arab Emirates spanning October and November 2026. The schedule runs from October 9 to November 17 and covers four separate series across all three formats.

The programme begins with a one-off Test against Bangladesh, followed by a three-team ODI Tri-Nation Series. Afghanistan and Zimbabwe then contest a three-match T20I series before wrapping up with a two-match Test series between the same sides. All fixtures will be held in the UAE, though specific venues are yet to be confirmed.

ACB CEO Naseeb Khan welcomed the announcement.

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

The Bangladesh Cricket Board also responded positively.

“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. We thank the Afghanistan Cricket Board for arranging this tour and the tri-nation series, which also features Zimbabwe. It promises to be a highly competitive tournament, and we look forward to an exciting few weeks of international cricket,” BCB CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said.

“This is an important tour for Zimbabwe, offering our players high-quality competition across all three formats. The ODI tri-series will test us against two strong sides, while the two Tests are especially valuable as we continue seeking more regular opportunities in the longest format. We sincerely appreciate the Afghanistan Cricket Board for hosting this programme and the Bangladesh Cricket Board for their cooperation. We look forward to a competitive and exciting tour,” Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director Givemore Makoni said.

What is the schedule of the upcoming white-ball Tri-Series?

Once the tri-nation final concludes on October 23, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe move into a three-match T20I series. Those games are set for October 27, October 29 and November 1, 2026.

The two sides then begin a two-match Test series. The first Test runs from November 5 to 9, 2026, and the second from November 13 to 17, 2026, bringing the full programme to a close.