The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has confirmed to its stakeholders that the three-match T20I 'home' series against India is very much on, although the schedule remains somewhat tentative.
As things stand, the matches are slated for September 13, 15 and 17 in Delhi, but the dates may have to be pushed back should the series against Bangladesh, which is otherwise perennially in doubt, go ahead, according to Cricbuzz.
Those in the know say there is renewed hope that the six-match white-ball series in Bangladesh could take place, given the latest developments in geopolitics. On Friday, news emerged that the Government of India invited Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to the 18th BRICS Summit (to be held in September), and the development has led to a sense of optimism in the relevant quarters.
And should that series materialise, there may be a trickle-down effect on the three Delhi matches, as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is hoping to stage the matches from September 1 to 13. In that context, the dates of the Afghanistan series may have to be pushed back by a few days, if not by a longer period altogether.
That said, the BCB is yet to release the EoI documents for the media rights, which, as reported by Cricbuzz on July 14, were put on hold by the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
There is very little room for a prolonged deferment given the Asian Games (from September 24) and the home series against the West Indies, which starts on September 27. The series may be put off by a few days if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decides to send the Indian team to Bangladesh at all. The BCCI, of course, will be guided by the Government advisory.
The issue of the schedule apart, there is another angle to the series. For the first time in recent years, international matches in India will not be shown on JioStar, the official broadcaster of India's home international games. With the Afghanistan Board being the host of the games, the matches will be shown on different channels or platforms.
Fancode holds the digital rights to the series. Zee and Sony Sports are the potential contenders for the television rights, unless JioStar
also joins the race for linear property to telecast the games on Star Sports.
The linear rights are still available for grabs, and the rights are with ITW Universe, one of the leading sports and entertainment consulting firms. The firm is coordinating with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on the marketing and other logistical aspects of the three Delhi matches.
