Rashid’s Four-Wicket Finish Sets Up Afghanistan’s Seven-Wicket Win Over Bangladesh

Rashid Khan claimed four wickets for 31 runs as Afghanistan bowled Bangladesh out for 160 in the UAE ODI tri-series. Rahmat Shah’s unbeaten 67 completed a seven-wicket victory, but the decisive advantage had been established by Afghanistan’s bowlers.

21 October 2026

SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES | BY NIAZ SHINWARI

Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets in the ODI tri-nation series in Sharjah on Wednesday, with Rashid Khan’s four-wicket haul completing a bowling performance that left the visitors chasing a modest target of 161.

Afghanistan reached 161 for three in 35.3 overs after dismissing Bangladesh for 160 in 41.2 overs.

Rashid finished with four wickets for 31 runs from 8.2 overs and was named Player of the Match.

But Afghanistan’s control of the contest began long before their leading spinner claimed the final wickets.

Bangladesh elected to bat and were immediately placed under pressure by Afghanistan’s seam bowlers.

Yamin Ahmadzai removed Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar in consecutive deliveries, reducing Bangladesh to six for two.

Azmatullah Omarzai then dismissed Najmul Hossain Shanto and captain Towhid Hridoy, leaving Bangladesh struggling at 28 for four.

The early collapse forced Bangladesh to rebuild rather than attack.

Saif Hassan made 41 from 82 balls, while Parvez Hossain Emon produced the innings’ strongest resistance, scoring 70 from 96 deliveries.

Their efforts helped Bangladesh recover from the damage inflicted by Afghanistan’s opening bowlers.

Yet the recovery never developed into a total capable of placing Afghanistan under sustained pressure.

Mohammad Nabi dismissed Saif Hassan, and Bilal Sami removed Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Rashid then took charge of the closing stages.

He dismissed Shoriful Islam before removing Emon, whose innings had offered Bangladesh their best chance of reaching a competitive score.

With Emon gone, Bangladesh had little batting resistance remaining.

Rashid dismissed Aliss Al Islam and Mustafizur Rahman to end the innings at 160.

His figures of four for 31 followed another four-wicket performance against Zimbabwe earlier in the tri-series, underlining his influence across consecutive matches.

The bowling effort, however, was not his alone.

Ahmadzai and Omarzai took two wickets each, while Nabi and Sami claimed one apiece.

Together, the attack prevented Bangladesh from recovering fully after the early collapse.

Afghanistan’s response was measured rather than hurried.

The target required only 3.22 runs per over at the start of the chase, allowing the batters to prioritise partnerships and preserve wickets.

Captain Rahmat Shah anchored the innings with an unbeaten 67 from 90 deliveries.

Hashmatullah Shahidi added an unbeaten 36 from 54 balls as Afghanistan completed the chase with 14.3 overs remaining.

The victory was secured with seven wickets in hand.

The match demonstrated the value of a bowling attack capable of winning in different phases.

Afghanistan’s seamers created the early crisis, Nabi and Sami prevented a complete recovery, and Rashid ensured Bangladesh could not use the closing overs to build a more demanding target.

Rahmat’s innings then turned that advantage into a comfortable result.

Rashid’s four wickets provided the outstanding individual performance, but Afghanistan’s victory was built on a collective effort that denied Bangladesh control of the match from the opening overs.

Source: ODI Tri-Nation Series official match scorecard; Cricbuzz and match reporting.

Image caption: Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan took four wickets for 31 runs against Bangladesh in Sharjah on October 21, 2026.

Image credit: Original photographer or Afghanistan Cricket Board rights holder to be confirmed.