Afghanistan U19 open Asia Cup against Bangladesh after Group B draw

Afghanistan will play Bangladesh, Malaysia and Sri Lanka in the group stage of the 2026 Under-19 Asia Cup in Oman. Their opening match on 5 November will follow a seven-match preparation tour in the same country.

Afghanistan’s Under-19 side will begin its Asia Cup campaign against Bangladesh on 5 November, with two of the four Group B teams advancing to the semi-finals.

The schedule places Afghanistan against Malaysia on 7 November and Sri Lanka on 9 November. All three matches will be played at the Oman Cricket Academy in Al Amerat, according to the published fixture list.

Pajhwok reported the Asian Cricket Council’s group draw on 8 October. India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Nepal form Group A in the eight-team, 50-over tournament, which runs from 5 to 14 November.

The semi-finals are scheduled for 12 November. The Group B winner will face the Group A runner-up, while second place in Group B will bring a meeting with the Group A winner. The final follows on 14 November.

Bangladesh will be a familiar opponent by the time the tournament begins. Afghanistan are scheduled to play them in five Youth ODIs on 13, 15, 18, 20 and 23 October, then face Oman on 27 and 30 October. That programme gives Afghanistan six scheduled meetings with Bangladesh between 13 October and the Asia Cup opener.

The ACB named a 15-player squad for the preparation tour, led by Sohail Khan, with three travelling reserves, Amu reported on 5 October. The board described the seven matches as preparation for the Asia Cup.

Sources: Pajhwok; Cricbuzz fixtures; NDTV schedule; Amu.