KABUL, November 7:The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has officially confirmed that Afghanistan will host the West Indies for a three-match T20 International series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from January 19 to 22, 2026.
The series will kick off on January 19, with the second and third T20Is scheduled for January 21 and 22, respectively. The short yet crucial series is expected to serve as key preparation for both teams ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February and March.
ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said the series against the Caribbean side would play an essential role in Afghanistan’s pre-World Cup readiness.
“Competing against the West Indies on the brink of a global event presents an excellent opportunity for our team to finalise their lineup and enhance their preparations for the upcoming mega event,” said Khan.
“Facing a quality West Indies side offers an ideal platform for our buildup,” he added.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the importance of adapting to subcontinental-like conditions.
“This series provides an ideal platform for our preparation. Facing strong opposition in UAE conditions will help us sharpen our combinations and build confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup,” Bascombe said.
Historically, Afghanistan and the West Indies have faced off eight times in T20Is, with the West Indies leading 5–3 in the head-to-head record.
Afghanistan vs West Indies T20I Series 2026 Schedule:
Monday, January 19: 1st T20I – UAE
Wednesday, January 21: 2nd T20I – UAE
Thursday, January 22: 3rd T20I – UAE
The upcoming clash promises to offer both teams valuable game time before heading into the T20 World Cup 2026, where fine-tuning combinations and testing strategies will be vital.
