Afghanistan Have Two Matches to Reach ODI Tri-Series Final, Starting Against Zimbabwe
Afghanistan face Zimbabwe on 19 October and Bangladesh on 21 October in the UAE ODI tri-series. With only two group matches before the final, Rahmat Shah’s side have little room to recover from a defeat.
Afghanistan will have only two group matches to secure a place in the ODI tri-series final in the United Arab Emirates, beginning with a meeting against Zimbabwe on Monday, 19 October.
The three-team competition opens with Bangladesh against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi on 17 October. Afghanistan then play Zimbabwe at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on 19 October before facing Bangladesh in Sharjah on 21 October. The two highest-placed teams meet in the final in Sharjah on 23 October, according to the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).
Unlike a longer league, this single round-robin gives Afghanistan no return fixture against either opponent before the final. A defeat in their opener would leave Rahmat Shah’s side with just one match to recover, and qualification could depend on the other teams’ results and tournament tiebreakers.
Rahmat leads a 15-player ODI squad that includes vice-captain and wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan. The ACB named the squad on 1 October, with Qais Ahmad as travelling reserve.
The 50-over tournament follows Afghanistan’s drawn Test against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi earlier this week. Rashid was rested from the Test squad but is named for the ODI competition, giving Afghanistan another experienced bowling option as they switch formats.
After the final, Afghanistan will play Zimbabwe in three T20 internationals from 27 October to 1 November and two Tests in November. The ACB has identified the ODI tri-series as part of its preparations for the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
Sources: Afghanistan Cricket Board, 1 October 2026; International Cricket Council, 8 September 2026.
Afghanistan Cricket Board; ICC
