Afghanistan Cricket Board announces ODI series against Bangladesh ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

Afghanistan is all set to host Bangladesh in a three-match One Day International (ODI) series later this year. On Sunday, September 29, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed that they will be hosting Bangladesh for a thrilling three-match ODI series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The three-match ODI series between Afghanistan and Bangladesh will run from November 6 to 11, with the exact venue set to be announced soon by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). This series was originally planned for July-August as part of Afghanistan's Future Tour Program (FTP), but it was postponed due to extreme heat conditions.

Bangladesh to face Afghanistan in ODI series ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Now, the ACB has decided to stage the series later this year, and these ODIs will be really significant for both Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the lead-up to the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. ACB took the step after Afghanistan’s historic 2-1 series win against South Africa.

After the Bangladesh ODIs, the Afghanistan cricket team will travel to Zimbabwe in December for the all-format series. Recently, Afghanistan’s one-off Test against New Zealand in Delhi turned out to be a major disappointment for both the teams and ACB.

Both boards have agreed to proceed with just the ODI leg: ACB

The ACB said in an official press release: “The three-match ODI series will begin on the 6th of November, with the 2nd and 3rd ODIs scheduled to be played on the 9th and 11th of November, respectively, in the United Arab Emirates. The exact venue is yet to be finalized.

These three ODIs, along with three T20Is and two Tests, were originally part of Afghanistan’s Future Tour Program (FTP) and scheduled for July-August this year. However, the series was postponed due to extreme heat in the UAE and India, where ACB usually hosts its home events.

Following extensive discussions, both boards have agreed to proceed with just the ODI leg, which will be crucial in both teams' preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to take place in Pakistan in February next year.”

🚨 ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

We are set to host the @BCBtigers for a three-match ODI series this November. 🇧🇩

📅: November 06 - 11
🏟: United Arab Emirates

🔗: https://t.co/tovB4mSeYe#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvBAN | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/uFgj2fz047

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 29, 2024

Bangladesh is currently facing India in the Test series

Meanwhile, Bangladesh is currently on an India tour for a two-match Test series followed by a three-match T20I series next month. However, the Tigers suffered a massive defeat of 280 runs in the first Test against the hosts, Team India, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Speaking about the second and final Test at the Green Park in Kanpur, rain has been playing a major threat of abandoning the game with the teams yet to take the field after the first 35 overs on Day 1. Bangladesh made 107 runs at the cost of three wickets against India in Kanpur.

On the other hand, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi recently left one and all stunned by snubbing MS Dhoni from his all-time ODI XI, as he went with Pakistan’s Rashid Latif as his wicketkeeper-batter of his dream team.