Ahead of the series finale, players from both teams, along with officials from their respective cricket boards, gathered under one roof at a special event, Koh-E-Zafar (Mountain of Triumph), in New Delhi, hosted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). India and Afghanistan will lock horns one final time in the ongoing Friendship Cup 2026 on Thursday when they face off in the third and final T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. India lead the three-match series 2-0 in what has been a historic bilateral event, with Afghanistan hosting India on Indian soil.
Iyer and Afghanistan Players Engage in Light-hearted Conversation
India’s captain Shreyas Iyer, along with teammates Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, participated in a light-hearted chat on stage. They were joined by their Afghanistan counterparts Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, and Gulbadin Naib. This interaction showcased camaraderie between the teams following their competitive engagements.
Afghanistan Premier League Set to Launch in December 2026
The Afghanistan Premier League (APL) will officially kick off on 27 December 2026, featuring five teams. This league marks a significant milestone in the growth of cricket in Afghanistan, showcasing the country’s emerging talent and commitment to developing the sport.
During the recent ‘Koh-e-Zafar’ event, the APL trophy was displayed, celebrating Afghanistan’s cricketing journey. The event also included the launch of the Suzuki Cup India – Japan trophy.
In related news, the final T20I of the three-match series between India and Afghanistan is scheduled for 17 September 2026.
During the event, Abhishek was asked to name an Indian cricketer who spends the most time in front of the mirror. However, instead of naming an Indian player, he mentioned his former Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate and Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi. “I am not sure about any Indian cricketers, but i feel among Afghanistan players, Fazalhaq Farooqi is the one. He spends a lot of time (looking himself in the mirror), looking at himself.
Congratulations to him, he recently got married again,” said Abhishek during a free-wheeling chat. “As far as the Indian team is concerned, I feel it’s Shivam Dube,” he added.
