The Afghanistan Cricket Association (ACB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have officially announced that Afghanistan will host India for a three-match T20I series at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium in September. The first match of Afghanistan's 3rd T20I series against India is scheduled to be played on September 13, the 2nd T20I on September 15, and the 3rd T20I on September 17.
The three-match series will be held at the same venue as a part of Afghanistan's Future Tours Program (FTP). It should be noted that while Afghanistan will host the series, it will take place in India, as the matches have been staged in the subcontinent for the past couple of years.
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BCCI President Mithun Manhas said that the Board was committed to supporting Afghanistan cricket and giving them exposure to high-quality opponents. He also welcomed the Afghanistan Cricket Board to India and expressed optimism that the series would contribute to strengthening relations between the two cricketing nations.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia recalled the healthy rivalry between the two teams and also mentioned the popularity of Afghanistan's cricketers in India. He also stated that India had hosted Afghanistan's historic Test match in 2018.
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Saikia also stated that India had recently hosted Afghanistan for a Test and ODI series in June, and the upcoming T20I fixtures would offer both teams the opportunity to face each other in all three formats of the game.
Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) President Rohan Jaitley expressed delight at the opportunity to host both teams at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. He was confident that the three-match series would give Delhi's fans a chance to see international cricket at the venue.
The upcoming fixtures are set to enhance the bilateral ties between India and Afghanistan. The two sides faced each other in a three-match ODI series in June, where Afghanistan toured India. The two teams also met each other in a three-match T20I series in January this year.
Afghanistan hosted India for the first time in 2018 for the historic Test match. The two sides have been playing each other regularly in all three formats of the game since then.
ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf stated that the series was an opportunity for Afghanistan cricket to create history once again. He also said that it would provide a great platform to boost up relations with the BCCI.
Ashraf stated that Afghanistan had been using India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as venues for their home fixtures in recent times. He added that India was a great place to host a series of this sort, and he hoped that the matches would help further strengthen the relationship between the two cricket boards.
The three-match T20I series between Afghanistan and India will take place in Delhi, beginning on September 13. The next match is scheduled to be held on September 15, followed by the third and final match on September 17.