Afghanistan and USA will meet in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers in February for the main event in the West Indies, but any potential political embarrassment will be diluted with the match taking place in Abu Dhabi.
The two teams have been pooled with Ireland and Scotland in Group A of the Qualifiers, which will be hosted in the UAE from February 9 -13. Kenya, Netherlands, Canada and the UAE make up Group B. from April 30-May 16.
The winner of the tournament will join South Africa and India in Group C while the losing finalist will join Group D, which includes West Indies and England. Ireland, Kenya, Scotland, the Netherlands, Afghanistan and Scotland have made it directly into this qualifier on the basis of their ODI status while the UAE and USA are participating at the ICC's request.
The 17 matches will be split over five days between Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Stadium (six games) and the Dubai Sports City (11 games). The Super Four matches and final will be played in Dubai.