Afghanistan’s remarkable journey in the T20 World Cup 2024 has culminated in a historic semi-final berth, marking a monumental achievement for cricket in the subcontinent.

Led by the charismatic captain Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s strategic brilliance propelled them through Group 1 with notable wins over powerhouse teams like Australia and Bangladesh. Their semi-final entry is a testament to their growing prowess on the global cricketing stage.

Meanwhile, South Africa secured their place in the semi-finals earlier in the tournament with an unbeaten record in both group and Super Eight stages. Their path wasn’t without challenges, however, as they clinched victory against West Indies in a nail-biting encounter to secure their top spot in Group 2.

The upcoming semi-final clash between Afghanistan and South Africa promises fireworks. Afghanistan, buoyed by their recent successes, will be eager to continue their dream run. South Africa, boasting a strong batting lineup and disciplined bowling attack, stands firm as the only undefeated team in the tournament.

In a move that strengthens cricket ties between India and Afghanistan, the BCCI has granted permission for Afghanistan to host its upcoming series against Bangladesh in India. The series will be held at the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida, marking Afghanistan’s return to this venue after a four-year absence.

The white-ball series, scheduled for July and August, will feature three ODIs and three T20Is between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The Bangladesh team will arrive in Greater Noida on July 22nd, with the first ODI taking place on July 25th. The remaining ODIs will be on July 27th and 30th. The T20I series starts on August 2nd and concludes on August 6th, with Bangladesh departing on August 7th.

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh in India: Schedule

– Arrival: Bangladesh team arrives on July 22nd

– First ODI: July 25th

– Second ODI: July 27th

– Third ODI: July 30th

– First T20I: August 2nd

– Second T20I: August 4th

– Third T20I: August 6th

– Departure: Bangladesh departs on August 7th

The BCCI has designated two venues in Uttar Pradesh for Afghanistan’s home series – Greater Noida and Kanpur. This follows a trend established in 2015, when Afghanistan played matches in Dehradun, Lucknow, and Greater Noida.

While the Bangladesh series will be held in Greater Noida, other upcoming Afghan matches might be played at either the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur or the Greater Noida stadium. Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium is a well-known venue for international matches and will host the second Test between India and Bangladesh starting September 27th.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has assured that preparations for the India-Bangladesh Test series in Kanpur are underway. He confirmed that the pitches at Green Park Stadium will be in optimal condition by September, addressing any shortcomings before the matches.

This series marks another chapter in the growing cricket relationship between India and Afghanistan, offering a platform for competitive cricket and fostering strong sporting ties between the two nations.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) CEO Naseeb Khan revealed on Friday that former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja refused to accept payment for his role as the mentor for the Afghanistan cricket team during the ODI World Cup 2023. Jadeja joined the team a month before the tournament and played a crucial role in boosting their confidence, helping them secure victories against giants like England and Pakistan.

Despite the ACB’s multiple attempts to compensate Jadeja for his services, he declined any monetary reward. Khan shared, “We insisted multiple times, but Jadeja refused to take any money from the Afghanistan Cricket Board for his services in the ODI World Cup 2023. His response was, ‘If you play well, that is all the reward and money I need.'”

Jadeja’s dedication and support have left a lasting impact on the team, highlighting his commitment to the sport and his belief in Afghanistan’s cricketing potential.