Afghanistan to play 'home series' against India

For the first time in international cricket, Afghanistan is going to host a bilateral series against India. A three-match T20 series is likely to be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi in September. An official announcement has not been made yet, but it is said that the matter has progressed positively after the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) proposed a return tour to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Quoting a BCCI source, Indian media reported that an in-principle agreement has been reached between the two boards to host the series. As a result, Afghanistan will get the status of the host team even though the matches will be played on Indian soil.

The source said that the BCCI and ACB have a long-standing good relationship. Earlier, India went to play series in countries like Ireland, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe to financially support boards like those; a similar agreement has been reached with Afghanistan this time too. An announcement will be made once some formal processes are completed.

The venue is being coordinated with the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA). The Arun Jaitley Stadium is planned to be used as Afghanistan's 'home venue'. The team has been hosting its international matches outside the country for a long time due to security and infrastructural constraints; in the past, they have used various grounds in India and the UAE as host venues.

The source further said that the BCCI has mediated the coordination between the ACB and the DDCA. The Arun Jaitley Stadium is being prepared for the series and the DDCA is also coordinating the schedule of the Delhi Premier League T20 accordingly.