AFG vs IND 1st T20I Under Threat? Here’s Why the Date Could Change

India and Afghanistan are set to begin their three-match T20I series in New Delhi on September 13, with fans eagerly awaiting the opening clash. The Arun Jaitley Stadium, one of the smallest cricket stadiums in India, is expected to host a sizeable crowd for what promises to be an exciting start to the series.

However, with the match date drawing closer, developments in New Delhi have put the fixture under fresh scrutiny. Authorities are currently assessing arrangements around the upcoming series, raising chances of the AFG vs IND 1st T20I date change.

Why Afghanistan vs India 1st T20I Date Can Change?

According to journalist Abhishek Tripathi, the AFG vs IND 1st T20I on September 13 in New Delhi could be moved to another date after Delhi Police reportedly raised security concerns. Tripathi reported that a Deputy Commissioner of Delhi Police has written to the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), requesting that the match be rescheduled.

The reported concern stems from the BRICS Summit, which is being held in Delhi from September 11 to 13. Several VVIP routes are expected to be operational during the summit, placing additional demands on the city's security and traffic arrangements.

The match could attract around 20,000 to 25,000 spectators, further increasing the security requirement. Tripathi said Delhi Police may find it difficult to provide the necessary security while simultaneously managing VVIP movements.

However, there has been no official confirmation yet that the match has been postponed or shifted. The AFG vs IND 1st T20I date schedule continues to list September 13 in New Delhi. Any information on the new date for IND vs AFG 1st T20I would need to be formally announced by the BCCI or the Afghanistan Cricket Board, the host of this series.

Why Are Afghanistan Are Hosting T20I Series in India?

As things stand, the second and third T20Is are also scheduled at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on September 15 and 17, respectively. The ACB and the BCCI originally announced the AFG vs IND T20 schedule and mentioned that all three matches would be staged at the same venue between September 13 and 17.

Interestingly, Afghanistan are the designated hosts despite the entire series being played in India. The three-match contest forms part of Afghanistan’s Future Tours Programme and is the first bilateral series between the two countries to be hosted by the ACB.

Afghanistan have regularly used India and the UAE as bases for their home international fixtures in recent years. ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf said India was chosen considering the importance and scale of the series.

The BCCI, meanwhile, has reiterated its commitment to supporting Afghanistan cricket and strengthening ties between the two boards.