Afghanistan are set for one of their busiest periods of international cricket, with the Afghanistan Cricket Board confirming a packed home season against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the UAE between October and November.
The schedule will feature cricket across all three formats, including a one-off Test against Bangladesh, an ODI tri-series involving all three teams, a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe and a two-Test series against the same opposition.
All matches will be played in the UAE, although the Afghanistan Cricket Board is yet to announce the venues.
The season will begin on October 9 with Afghanistan taking on Bangladesh in a one-off Test, just six days after the scheduled conclusion of the Asian Games T20 tournament in Japan.
Afghanistan Set for Four Tests in 2026
The upcoming assignments will make 2026 Afghanistan's busiest year in Test cricket.
Afghanistan have already played one Test this year, against India in New Chandigarh in June. The three further matches against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will take their total to four Tests in the calendar year, the most they have played in a single year so far.
The one-off Test against Bangladesh will be played from October 9 to 13.
Afghanistan will then face Zimbabwe in two further Tests in November, with the first scheduled from November 5 to 9 and the second from November 13 to 17.
Afghanistan have played Bangladesh twice in Test cricket, winning one match and losing the other.
Against Zimbabwe, they have played five Tests, recording two wins, two defeats and one draw.
ODI Tri-Series to Follow Bangladesh Test
The Test against Bangladesh will be followed by an ODI tri-series involving Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
The three teams will each play the other once before the top two sides meet in the final.
The opening match will see Bangladesh take on Zimbabwe on October 17, followed by Afghanistan's games against Zimbabwe on October 19 and Bangladesh on October 21.
The final is scheduled for October 23.
The tri-series will provide Afghanistan with an important opportunity to prepare for the next phase of their white-ball calendar while also giving Bangladesh and Zimbabwe competitive cricket in the UAE.
Zimbabwe T20I Series Begins on October 27
Afghanistan will then switch back to the shortest format for a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.
The first T20I is scheduled for October 27, with the second match on October 29 and the third on November 1.
The T20I series will be followed almost immediately by the two-Test series, making it an intense stretch of international cricket for both teams.
Full Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe Schedule
One-off Test vs Bangladesh
October 9-13
ODI Tri-Series
October 17 - Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe
October 19 - Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe
October 21 - Afghanistan vs Bangladesh
October 23 - Final
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe T20I Series
October 27 - 1st T20I
October 29 - 2nd T20I
November 1 - 3rd T20I
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Test Series
November 5-9 - 1st Test
November 13-17 - 2nd Test
Afghanistan Continue to Build International Cricket Calendar
The Afghanistan Cricket Board's latest schedule represents another significant step in its effort to provide the national team with regular international cricket.
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said the series against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe would give Afghanistan's players valuable opportunities across formats while also providing supporters with an extended period of international cricket.
"We are pleased to confirm this important period of international cricket for the Afghanistan National Team," Naseeb Khan said.
He also highlighted the importance of Afghanistan's relationships with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and Zimbabwe Cricket in making the assignments possible.
The packed schedule will test Afghanistan's depth, particularly with four Tests, an ODI tri-series and three T20Is compressed into a little over five weeks.
For Afghanistan, however, the extended run of international cricket offers an important chance to continue developing as a multi-format side.
With the UAE serving as their home venue once again, Afghanistan will begin the season against Bangladesh on October 9 before facing both opponents across a demanding six-week stretch.
