IND vs AFG: Afghanistan Cricket Board Sparks Controversy With Incorrect India Map

A major controversy has erupted ahead of the upcoming T20 series between India and Afghanistan, scheduled to begin on September 13. While the series is being hosted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), the matches are set to take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, India. This unique arrangement highlights the cooperation between the two nations, where Team India will In essence play as guests in their own country, while however, this spirit of cooperation has been overshadowed by a provocative move from the Afghanistan Cricket Board that has left Indian cricket fans fuming.

The Promotional Video and the Map Dispute

To promote the upcoming T20 series, the Afghanistan Cricket Board released a promotional video on its social media platforms. The video was intended to showcase the rich heritage, cultural significance, and historical landmarks of both India and Afghanistan, while it featured glimpses of iconic cities and the shared passion for cricket between the two nations. However, the concluding segment of the video has become the center of a massive storm. In the final moments, the video displays the maps of Afghanistan and India, and it's the depiction of the Indian map that has sparked intense backlash.

Specific Errors in the Map Depiction

The promotional video reportedly shows the Indian map in two different and controversial ways within a matter of seconds. Initially, when the map of India appears, it includes the entire regions of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as part of India. However, even in this version, the regions are shown divided into three distinct parts: Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The situation worsened in the very next second of the video, where the map was altered to completely remove Pakistan-occupied Kashmir from the Indian territory. This inconsistent and inaccurate representation of India's sovereign borders has been viewed as a highly provocative act by the host board.

Outrage Among Indian Cricket Fans

The release of the video immediately triggered a wave of anger among Indian fans on social media. Supporters of the Indian team have expressed their deep disappointment and resentment towards the Afghanistan Cricket Board for what they perceive as a disrespectful gesture, especially considering the support India has extended to Afghan cricket over the years. Fans have flooded the ACB's social media posts with demands to take down the video and issue a correction. Despite the growing protest and the fact that more than 24 hours have passed since the video was posted, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has not yet removed or edited the controversial content.

Potential Intervention by Authorities

As the controversy continues to gain momentum, questions are being raised about the potential involvement of higher authorities. There is increasing speculation regarding whether the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or the Government of India will officially take up this matter with the Afghan cricket officials. Given the sensitive nature of national maps and territorial integrity, the silence of the ACB has only added to the tension surrounding the series. The cricketing community is now closely watching to see if diplomatic or administrative pressure will be applied to resolve this issue before the first ball is bowled on September 13.

A series the nation has been eagerly awaiting. 🤩

A series that will once again bring together two nations with deep-rooted history, culture, and a shared passion for the game.🤜🤛

These are more than just matches. They are encounters of passion, excitement, and significance,… pic.twitter.com/Q8h7MYX1yf

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 6, 2026