Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed that West Indies will face Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in January 2026.
The first match will take place on January 19 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The second and third games will follow on January 21 and January 22 at the same venue.
CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, said, “This series provides an ideal platform for our preparation. Facing strong opposition in subcontinental conditions will help us sharpen our combinations and approach, and it also gives our players a chance to build confidence on surfaces similar to those we’ll encounter in India and Sri Lanka.”
A Crucial Step Before the Global Tournament
Both teams will use this series as key preparation for the upcoming T20 global event in India and Sri Lanka. Playing in UAE will help them adapt to pitches similar to subcontinental ones. The games will test team balance, strategy, and player form.
Afghanistan Cricket Board CEO Naseeb Khan shared his view on the importance of the contest: “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 in India and Sri Lanka. We have been closely monitoring the team’s preparation process, and facing a quality West Indies side offers an ideal platform for their buildup.”
Head-to-Head and Recent Form
In T20Is, West Indies lead 5–3 against Afghanistan. Afghanistan, however, continue to grow stronger. Their semi-final finish in the last T20 World Cup proved their ability to perform under pressure. West Indies, co-hosts of that event, reached the Super Eight but failed to advance further.
Current Focus and Upcoming Series
The West Indies are touring New Zealand for five T20Is, three ODIs, and three Tests. The series began on November 5 and ends on December 22.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, are working on fine-tuning their squad before the UAE tour.
Both sides aim to gain confidence, test combinations, and adapt to conditions ahead of the global event. The West Indies vs Afghanistan T20I series 2026 in Sharjah promises exciting cricket and valuable preparation for both teams.
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