What happened
Afghanistan and Bangladesh began their one-off Test in Abu Dhabi on 9 October 2026.
Why it matters
Indian fans have no TV broadcast and must stream on FanCode.
Remember this
FanCode app and website are the only way to watch this Test live in India.
What to watch for
Bangladesh's batting resilience on a neutral pitch and Afghanistan's spin attack will shape the contest. The result could influence selection for the upcoming multi-format schedule.
- Bangladesh's first-innings total on a fresh Abu Dhabi pitch
- Rashid Khan's workload and impact across the five days
More context & who is affected
Afghanistan and Bangladesh have begun their one-off Test at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Cricket Stadium, but fans in India cannot watch it on television. Live streaming is available exclusively on the FanCode app and website, with no Indian broadcaster carrying the match.
Play started at 12:30 PM IST on Friday, 9 October, after Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat. This is Bangladesh's first Test at a neutral venue and their maiden red-ball appearance in the UAE, while Afghanistan are playing only their second Test since hosting India.
The five-day contest opens a multi-format UAE window for both sides, including an ODI tri-series with Zimbabwe and further T20I and Test fixtures. Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah and Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto lead teams that have split their two previous Test meetings.
- IST start (per BBC)
- 12:30 PM IST BBC scorecard lists a 07:00 UTC start on Friday 9 October 2026, equal to 12:30 PM Indian Standard Time.BBC Sport
- Venue
- Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi The match is hosted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board even though it is played in the UAE.BBC SportMint
- India streaming
- FanCode only No Indian TV channel is listed; live streaming is on FanCode's app and website.Mint
Cricket Fans · Sports Streaming Users
Indian viewers must use FanCode's app or website to watch the Test live, with no TV alternative.
Cricket Fans
Day 1 begins at 12:30 PM IST, a weekday lunch-time start that may limit live viewing for working fans.
Reporting fromNavbharat Times ↗Afghanistan Cricket Board ↗BBC Sport ↗Mint ↗ESPN.co.uk ↗The SportsTak ↗
Sources & verification6 sources · 4 claims
These are the records behind this briefing. Linked reporting is not the same as independent confirmation.
- Afghanistan Cricket BoardOfficial
Afghanistan to Host Bangladesh and Zimbabwe for Multi-Format Series in UAE ↗
Published Sep 8, 2026 · Accessed Oct 9, 2026 - BBC SportReportingPublished Oct 9, 2026 · Accessed Oct 9, 2026
- MintReporting
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh one-off Test live streaming: When & where to watch AFG vs BAN in India ↗
Published Oct 8, 2026 · Accessed Oct 9, 2026 - ESPN.co.ukReporting
Afghanistan look to tick boxes in rare Test outing against confident Bangladesh ↗
Published Oct 8, 2026 · Accessed Oct 9, 2026 - The SportsTakReporting
AFG vs BAN Test Match Info 2026 at Zayed Cricket Stadium, 09 October 2026 ↗
Published Oct 9, 2026 · Accessed Oct 9, 2026
Claims and linked sources
The Afghanistan vs Bangladesh one-off Test runs from 9 to 13 October 2026 at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, hosted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board.
Day 1 play began at 07:00 UTC, which is 12:30 PM Indian Standard Time, with subsequent days starting at the same local time.
No Indian TV channel is broadcasting the Test; live streaming in India is available only on FanCode's app and website.
This is Bangladesh's first Test at a neutral venue and their first ever in the UAE, while Afghanistan contest their second Test since the India series.
