In a crucial prelude to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Afghanistan will host the West Indies for a three-match T20I series in the United Arab Emirates between January 19 and 22, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed on Sunday.
The series, scheduled just weeks before the marquee event in India and Sri Lanka, will serve as valuable preparation for both sides eager to fine-tune their squads and strategies ahead of the tournament.
A Perfect Tune-Up Before the World Cup
Both Afghanistan and West Indies have already secured automatic qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup, having finished among the top seven teams in the 2024 edition.
While West Indies — two-time world champions (2012 and 2016) — bring experience and flair, Afghanistan arrive as one of the sport’s most exciting stories, fresh off a historic semi-final run in 2024.
The ACB described the upcoming fixtures as “a vital opportunity to sharpen focus and finalize combinations before the global showpiece.”
“Competing against the West Indies on the brink of a global event presents an excellent opportunity for our team to finalize their lineup and enhance their preparations,” said ACB CEO Naseeb Khan.
West Indies Eye Subcontinent Practice
Echoing similar thoughts, Miles Bascombe, Cricket West Indies’ Director of Cricket, emphasized the importance of getting used to subcontinental conditions early.
“Facing strong opposition in subcontinental conditions will help us sharpen our combinations and approach, and it gives our players confidence on surfaces similar to those we’ll encounter in India and Sri Lanka,” Bascombe said.
Recent Form and Build-Up
Both teams head into the series in solid form.
- Afghanistan recently swept Bangladesh in a T20I series and are scheduled to face Qatar in early November.
- West Indies, on the other hand, are in the middle of a five-match series against New Zealand and will later take on South Africa before flying to the UAE.
The series promises competitive cricket, with both sides aiming to lock in their best XI and test younger talents under pressure.
Afghanistan vs West Indies T20I Series 2026 – Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | January 19, 2026 | UAE |
| 2nd T20I | January 21, 2026 | UAE |
| 3rd T20I | January 22, 2026 | UAE |
The Road to the T20 World Cup 2026
The upcoming series marks the final phase of both teams’ preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which begins on February 7 and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
With both sides boasting a blend of flair and young firepower, the UAE clashes could provide a thrilling preview of what’s to come when the world gathers for the next edition of the T20 spectacle.
