India vs Afghanistan first T20I to go ahead as scheduled, no postponement

New Delhi: The first T20 International between Afghanistan and India will be held as per schedule on September 13 and not September 14, the Delhi and District Cricket Association has confirmed on X (formerly Twitter).

Delhi's traffic department had earlier requested the cricket body to postpone the match by a day due to the BRICS Summit which will conclude only on Sunday, September 13.

"With reference to your office letter No. 032/T-201s/2026 dated 24.08.2026 regarding the schedule of the upcoming India-Afghanistan T20 International cricket matches at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, I am directed to state that the BRICS Summit is scheduled to be held in Delhi from 11.09.2026 to 13.09.2026, during which a large number of foreign delegates, dignitaries and VVIPs are expected to visit Delhi. The Summit requires extensive traffic arrangements, including VVIP/VIP route regulation, traffic diversions, route clearance and deployment of personnel for smooth and uninterrupted movement of foreign delegates and associated vehicles," the Dy Commissioner of Police, Traffic (Central Range) wrote in a letter to the Secretary of the DDCA.

"The cricket match scheduled on 13.09.2026 is expected to attract approximately 25,000-35,000 spectators. The areas around Arun Jaitley Stadium, DDU Marg, BSZ Marg, Minto Road, Kamla Market and adjoining roads already witness substantial vehicular and pedestrian movement. Additional match-related traffic and parking around BSZ Marg, Mata Sundari College, Rajghat and Bal Bhawan are likely to reduce available carriageway and cause congestion. Further, the entire Delhi Traffic Police would already be extensively deployed for BRICS-related traffic regulation, diversions, route clearance and VVIP/VIP movements. Simultaneous arrangements for the cricket match would place considerable pressure on available manpower and pose significant challenges in traffic diversion, parking, crowd regulation, emergency access and route clearance," added the letter.

"In view of the international importance and priority of the BRICS Summit, DDCA is requested to kindly consider rescheduling/postponing the match scheduled on 13.09.2026 to any suitable date after completion of the Summit and related traffic arrangements. This would facilitate effective deployment of resources and ensure smooth and secure movement of foreign delegates, VVIPs and the general public," the letter further said.

However, a DDCA official said that it was difficult to reschedule the match as the staging of the game involves many logistical complexities like TV rights, ticketing among other things which are done well in advance.

"Besides, the summit will end at 3 pm on Sunday while the match will be staged at 7 pm," he added.

The DDCA put out a message on X (formerly Twitter) stating, "India–Afghanistan 1st T20I on 13 September at Arun Jaitley Stadium will go ahead as scheduled. Following a meeting with Delhi Traffic Police, DDCA has been assured of all necessary support and arrangements. No postponement."

Tags : India, Afghanistan, cricket, BRICS, Delhi, DDCA