The cricketing community continues to await the official schedule for the Afghanistan National T20 Cup 2026, one of the premier domestic competitions organized by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). While the tournament is expected to take place in the mid-year window, the governing body has yet to release the complete list of fixtures, venues, and match timings.

The Afghanistan National T20 Cup has steadily grown in importance over the years, serving as a key platform for identifying and nurturing local talent. Featuring a compact structure, the tournament typically includes five regional teams competing in a double round-robin format, followed by a high-stakes final between the top two sides.

Based on previous editions, the 2026 tournament is likely to be scheduled between June and July, aligning with the traditional domestic calendar. The 2025 edition, for instance, was held during early July and showcased competitive cricket among Afghanistan’s top regional squads.

The delay

However, the delay in announcing the 2026 schedule may be attributed to Afghanistan’s increasingly busy international calendar. The national team is set to participate in multiple bilateral series and global competitions, which could be influencing the timing and organization of domestic events.  

Date Day Match Time
May 2, 2026 Saturday Speenghar vs Bost 9:00 AM
May 2, 2026 Saturday Mis-e-Ainak vs Amo 2:00 PM
May 3, 2026 Sunday Bost vs Mis-e-Ainak 9:00 AM
May 3, 2026 Sunday Speenghar vs Band-e-Amir 2:00 PM
May 4, 2026 Monday Amo vs Bost 9:00 AM
May 4, 2026 Monday Band-e-Amir vs Mis-e-Ainak 2:00 PM
May 5, 2026 Tuesday Amo vs Band-e-Amir 9:00 AM
May 5, 2026 Tuesday Speenghar vs Mis-e-Ainak 2:00 PM
May 6, 2026 Wednesday Speenghar vs Amo 9:00 AM
May 6, 2026 Wednesday Band-e-Amir vs Bost 2:00 PM
May 8, 2026 Friday Mis-e-Ainak vs Amo 9:00 AM
May 8, 2026 Friday Bost vs Speenghar 2:00 PM
May 9, 2026 Saturday Amo vs Speenghar 9:00 AM
May 9, 2026 Saturday Mis-e-Ainak vs Band-e-Amir 2:00 PM
May 10, 2026 Sunday Amo vs Bost 9:00 AM
May 10, 2026 Sunday Band-e-Amir vs Speenghar 2:00 PM
May 11, 2026 Monday Bost vs Band-e-Amir 9:00 AM
May 11, 2026 Monday Speenghar vs Mis-e-Ainak 2:00 PM
May 12, 2026 Tuesday Bost vs Mis-e-Ainak 9:00 AM
May 12, 2026 Tuesday Amo vs Band-e-Amir 2:00 PM
May 14, 2026 Thursday Final (Top 2 Teams) 2:00 PM

Uncertainty engulfing the event 

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the fixtures, interest in the tournament remains high. The National T20 Cup has played a crucial role in the emergence of several Afghan stars, offering players a pathway to national selection and franchise leagues around the world.

Also Read | India set to host Afghanistan for One-off Test in June 2026

What do the analysts believe 

Cricket analysts believe that once announced, the 2026 edition will continue to highlight Afghanistan’s depth in T20 talent, particularly as the country strengthens its reputation in the shortest format of the game.

The fans will have to wait

For now, fans and stakeholders await an official confirmation from the ACB, with expectations that details will be released closer to the tournament window