SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates, October 21, 2026: Rashid Khan claimed four wickets for 31 runs as Afghanistan crushed Bangladesh by seven wickets in the third match of the UAE ODI Tri-Series on Wednesday, securing their place in the October 23 final against Zimbabwe. Bangladesh collapsed to 28/4 after choosing to bat, recovered through Parvez Hossain Emon’s determined 70 and Saif Hassan’s 41, but were bowled out for just 160 in 41.2 overs. Afghanistan reached 161/3 in 35.3 overs, with captain Rahmat Shah unbeaten on 67.
The scoreboard tells the story of a comfortable victory, but the more revealing detail is how completely Afghanistan controlled the match after two separate bowling assaults. Yamin Ahmadzai and Azmatullah Omarzai destroyed Bangladesh’s top order, and Rashid dismantled the resistance once Emon had kept the innings alive. Afghanistan then chased with 87 balls remaining, ending Bangladesh’s tournament without a win and sending Zimbabwe through to Friday’s final.
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh: Match Summary and Key Facts
| Match Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Competition | UAE ODI Tri-Series 2026, Match 3 |
| Date | October 21, 2026 |
| Venue | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates |
| Toss | Bangladesh won and elected to bat |
| Bangladesh | 160 all out, 41.2 overs |
| Afghanistan | 161/3, 35.3 overs |
| Result | Afghanistan won by seven wickets, with 87 balls remaining |
| Player of the Match | Rashid Khan, 4/31 |
| Top Bangladesh scorer | Parvez Hossain Emon, 70 from 96 balls |
| Top Afghanistan scorer | Rahmat Shah, 67 not out from 90 balls |
| Next Match | Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, final, October 23 |
Afghanistan had entered the contest as tournament leaders following their 158-run victory over Zimbabwe on October 19. Bangladesh faced a difficult qualification scenario after losing their opening match to Zimbabwe by 99 runs.
Our pre-match analysis of Bangladesh’s net run rate challenge explained why the Tigers needed much more than a narrow victory to remain in contention. Instead, they suffered a second heavy defeat.
Yamin Ahmadzai and Azmatullah Omarzai Leave Bangladesh 28/4
Bangladesh’s problems began almost immediately.
Tanzid Hasan, who had been central to several of Bangladesh’s better batting performances earlier this year, edged Yamin Ahmadzai to wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz after scoring just one. Soumya Sarkar fell to the very next delivery without scoring, leaving Bangladesh 6/2 after 1.3 overs.
Najmul Hossain Shanto attempted to counterattack with three boundaries, but his 15 from 23 balls ended when he was caught behind off Azmatullah Omarzai.
Acting captain Towhid Hridoy followed for a two-ball duck, offering a return catch to Omarzai. Bangladesh were 28/4 after seven overs.
Two bowlers had taken four wickets for only 28 runs. The remaining batters faced the task of rebuilding an ODI innings before the eighth over had even begun.
Ahmadzai finished with 2/21 from six overs, conceding just 3.50 runs per over. Omarzai returned 2/27 from seven at 3.86.
Their combined figures of 4/48 from 13 overs explain why Bangladesh never reached a position from which they could challenge Afghanistan’s batting depth.
Parvez Hossain Emon’s 70 Prevents an Even Worse Collapse
Emon was the one Bangladesh batter able to produce sustained resistance.
The wicketkeeper-batter made 70 from 96 deliveries, hitting five fours and two sixes, and became the innings’ leading scorer by a considerable margin.
Alongside Saif Hassan, who scored 41 from 82 balls, Emon helped Bangladesh recover from 28/4 to 121/5. Their fifth-wicket stand of 93 runs occupied almost 25 overs and briefly restored stability.
Yet the recovery created another problem: the scoring rate remained too low to put Afghanistan under significant pressure.
Saif’s innings came at a strike rate of 50, while Emon scored at 72.92 runs per 100 deliveries. Their partnership preserved wickets but did not produce the acceleration Bangladesh needed.
From 28/4 after seven overs to 121/5 in the 32nd, Bangladesh added 93 runs while using more than 24 overs. By that stage, the remaining batters had little time to build a competitive total.
Emon’s effort deserves particular credit because he was batting against an attack that had already exposed the vulnerability of the top order. He eventually became Rashid Khan’s second victim, trapped lbw for 70 in the 40th over.
The innings was another example of individual resistance failing to compensate for a collective batting collapse. Earlier in 2026, Tanzid Hasan’s 94 against Zimbabwe had shown how a major contribution could rescue Bangladesh from a difficult position. This time, Emon’s half-century could only limit the damage.
Rashid Khan’s 4/31 Turns Bangladesh’s Recovery Into Another Collapse
Rashid Khan did not have to rescue Afghanistan from a difficult position. His seamers had already created the advantage. His responsibility was to prevent Bangladesh from turning their middle-order recovery into a competitive innings.
He completed that task ruthlessly.
After Saif Hassan fell to Mohammad Nabi for 41 at 121/5, Mehidy Hasan Miraz managed only two before Bilal Sami removed him.
Rashid then dismissed Shoriful Islam for seven, ending the seventh-wicket stand and leaving Bangladesh 147/7.
Emon was still at the crease, but Rashid trapped him lbw for 70 at 156/8 in the 40th over.
The leg-spinner returned to finish the innings in consecutive deliveries in the 42nd over. Aliss Al Islam was caught by Mohammad Nabi without scoring, and Mustafizur Rahman was bowled first ball.
Bangladesh were all out for 160.
Rashid’s final figures were 4/31 from 8.2 overs. He had taken four of the last five wickets to fall, ensuring Bangladesh scored only 39 runs after their fifth wicket went down.
There was also a memorable fielding contribution. Nabi’s catch to dismiss Aliss required exceptional reactions, as he recovered control of the ball while diving at first slip.
Rashid Khan Explains Why Emon’s Wicket Mattered
Speaking after receiving the Player of the Match award, Rashid emphasized consistency, preparation and the importance of remaining patient when wickets do not come immediately.
“Emon was playing so well at that time, and I felt that getting his wicket was very important for us.”
Rashid explained that a bowler must remain calm even when the opening spell does not produce a breakthrough. He credited purposeful net practice and consistent line and length for his recent performances.
That thinking is reflected in his role within Afghanistan’s ODI attack. He does not need to take the first wicket to dominate a match. When the seamers create early pressure, Rashid can attack batters who are already attempting to repair an innings.
His four-wicket performance follows 4/17 against Zimbabwe two days earlier, giving him eight wickets across Afghanistan’s two league matches.
The sequence underlines why Rashid remains central to Afghanistan’s plans for major international competitions. He was also instrumental in the country’s qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup against Ireland.
Bangladesh’s Full Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saif Hassan | c sub (Nangeyalia Khan) b Nabi | 41 | 82 | 2 | 1 | 50.00 |
| Tanzid Hasan | c Gurbaz b Ahmadzai | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16.67 |
| Soumya Sarkar | b Ahmadzai | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Najmul Hossain Shanto | c Gurbaz b Omarzai | 15 | 23 | 3 | 0 | 65.22 |
| Towhid Hridoy (c) | c & b Omarzai | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Parvez Hossain Emon (wk) | lbw b Rashid Khan | 70 | 96 | 5 | 2 | 72.92 |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | c sub (Nangeyalia Khan) b Bilal Sami | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28.57 |
| Shoriful Islam | b Rashid Khan | 7 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Aliss Al Islam | c Nabi b Rashid Khan | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Taskin Ahmed | not out | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Mustafizur Rahman | b Rashid Khan | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | 22 (4 byes, 7 leg-byes, 11 wides) | |||||
| Total | 160 all out in 41.2 overs, run rate 3.87 | |||||
Fall of wickets: 6/1 (Tanzid Hasan, 1.2), 6/2 (Soumya Sarkar, 1.3), 27/3 (Shanto, 6.4), 28/4 (Hridoy, 6.6), 121/5 (Saif Hassan, 31.3), 124/6 (Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 32.5), 147/7 (Shoriful Islam, 37.3), 156/8 (Emon, 39.2), 160/9 (Aliss, 41.1), 160/10 (Mustafizur, 41.2).
Afghanistan’s Full Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 7 | 0 | 27 | 2 | 3.86 |
| Yamin Ahmadzai | 6 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 3.50 |
| Bilal Sami | 6 | 0 | 23 | 1 | 3.83 |
| AM Ghazanfar | 5 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 2.40 |
| Rashid Khan | 8.2 | 0 | 31 | 4 | 3.72 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 9 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 3.89 |
Afghanistan’s attack shared the wickets across pace and spin. Ahmadzai and Omarzai accounted for four top-order dismissals, while Rashid claimed four wickets in the second half of the innings.
Ghazanfar also contributed control, conceding just 12 runs in five wicketless overs. His spell limited Bangladesh’s options during the rebuilding phase.
Rahmat Shah’s Unbeaten 67 Anchors Afghanistan’s Comfortable Chase
Afghanistan’s chase was not completely without setbacks.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz struck an early boundary but was bowled by Taskin Ahmed for six. Sediqullah Atal, who had scored a century against Zimbabwe in Afghanistan’s opening match, managed only four before Taskin also removed him.
Afghanistan were 39/2 after seven overs, giving Bangladesh a brief opportunity to apply pressure.
Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah then stabilized the innings. Zadran contributed 34 from 48 balls in a partnership that carried Afghanistan to 95 before Mustafizur Rahman dismissed him at the end of the 20th over.
Bangladesh needed another cluster of wickets to create genuine uncertainty. Instead, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi absorbed the remaining pressure.
Rahmat reached his half-century from 66 balls and finished with 67 not out from 90 deliveries, including five boundaries.
Shahidi added an unbeaten 36 from 54 balls as the pair completed a 66-run fourth-wicket stand.
Afghanistan reached their target in 35.3 overs, using only 213 of their allotted 300 deliveries.
The chase illustrated a significant difference between the two sides. Bangladesh had been forced into survival mode before the eighth over. Afghanistan could bat at a controlled pace because their bowlers had already made the target manageable.
Afghanistan’s Full Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Dismissal | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) | b Taskin Ahmed | 6 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | c Shanto b Mustafizur | 34 | 48 | 2 | 0 | 70.83 |
| Sediqullah Atal | b Taskin Ahmed | 4 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 30.77 |
| Rahmat Shah (c) | not out | 67 | 90 | 5 | 0 | 74.44 |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi | not out | 36 | 54 | 4 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Extras | 14 (2 byes, 1 leg-bye, 11 wides) | |||||
| Total | 161/3 in 35.3 overs, run rate 4.54 | |||||
Did not bat: Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Bilal Sami and Yamin Ahmadzai.
Fall of wickets: 26/1 (Gurbaz, 2.5 overs), 39/2 (Atal, 6.6 overs), 95/3 (Ibrahim Zadran, 19.6 overs).
Bangladesh’s Full Bowling Scorecard
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taskin Ahmed | 8 | 2 | 36 | 2 | 4.50 |
| Shoriful Islam | 5 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 3.60 |
| Aliss Al Islam | 8.3 | 0 | 47 | 0 | 5.53 |
| Mustafizur Rahman | 6 | 1 | 32 | 1 | 5.33 |
| Mehidy Hasan Miraz | 8 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 3.13 |
Taskin Ahmed was Bangladesh’s best bowler, taking two early wickets and bowling two maidens. Mehidy Hasan Miraz also maintained reasonable control, conceding only 25 runs from eight overs.
But defending 160 against Afghanistan’s batting lineup required Bangladesh to take wickets regularly. Once Rahmat and Shahidi settled, the bowlers had too little scoreboard pressure to exploit.
The Five Turning Points That Decided the Match
| Turning Point | Match Situation | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmadzai’s double strike | Bangladesh 6/2 in 1.3 overs | Both openers’ momentum destroyed immediately |
| Omarzai removes Shanto and Hridoy | Bangladesh 28/4 after seven overs | Middle order exposed before the innings could develop |
| Emon and Saif rebuild | Bangladesh recover to 121/5 | Prevented a complete collapse but could not raise the scoring rate sufficiently |
| Rashid finishes with 4/31 | Bangladesh all out for 160 | Removed the remaining chance of a challenging total |
| Rahmat and Shahidi close the chase | Afghanistan 95/3 to 161/3 | Unbroken 66-run partnership secured the seven-wicket win |
The analysis reveals why Afghanistan’s win was not simply about one outstanding bowler.
Ahmadzai and Omarzai created the opening. Rashid ensured Bangladesh never escaped. Rahmat Shah then prevented Bangladesh from turning a modest chase into a contest.
Mohammad Nabi’s Catch Highlights Afghanistan’s Fielding Standards
Afghanistan’s performance extended beyond bowling figures.
The dismissal of Aliss Al Islam in Bangladesh’s final over included an exceptional piece of fielding from Mohammad Nabi.
Standing at slip, Nabi reacted to an outside edge from Rashid’s leg-spin delivery. The ball initially threatened to escape his grasp, but he recovered control while diving and completed the catch.
Rashid singled out the effort afterward, describing Nabi’s catch as a special moment.
That fielding contribution mattered because Afghanistan were intent on ending Bangladesh’s innings quickly rather than allowing the lower order to occupy the remaining overs.
The wicket was followed immediately by Mustafizur Rahman’s dismissal, bringing the innings to an end.
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh: What the Result Means for the UAE ODI Tri-Series
Afghanistan’s second successive victory sends them into the final unbeaten.
Zimbabwe advance alongside them despite their heavy loss to Afghanistan on October 19, because they defeated Bangladesh in their opening match and finished with two points.
Bangladesh exit after losing both league matches.
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Qualified for final |
| Zimbabwe | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Qualified for final |
| Bangladesh | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Eliminated |
The tournament’s three league matches have now produced decisive results. Zimbabwe defeated Bangladesh by 99 runs, Afghanistan overwhelmed Zimbabwe by 158 runs, and Afghanistan completed the league stage by beating Bangladesh by seven wickets.
Afghanistan’s rapid rise in ODI cricket has been built on performances against stronger and more established opponents. Their landmark win against England at the 2023 World Cup, revisited in The Sports Encounter’s Celebration of 5000 ODIs series, remains an important reference point for the development of their spin attack.
Why Bangladesh’s Batting Problems Run Deeper Than One Match
Bangladesh’s defeat follows their 99-run loss to Zimbabwe earlier in the tournament, when their batting lineup failed to convert a manageable situation into a successful chase.
Against Afghanistan, they suffered a different version of the same problem: the top order collapsed before the innings had a chance to settle.
The absence of regular ODI captain Litton Das, who was ruled out with a hip injury, has also forced Bangladesh to rely on Towhid Hridoy’s leadership.
The ICC confirmed Litton’s injury before the tournament, adding another complication to the team’s preparation.
Bangladesh possess talented players, but this result raises questions about their ability to handle early movement and high-quality spin within the same ODI innings.
That issue has appeared in different forms across recent matches. Against Zimbabwe in July, Bangladesh’s batters capitalized on dropped catches to produce a strong T20I performance. The format differs, but the contrast reinforces how much changes when opponents hold their chances and sustain pressure.
Bangladesh were also recently involved in a dramatic Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, where their bowlers came close to victory before the hosts’ lower order survived. Our report on Afghanistan’s extraordinary 142-over escape examined that contest.
Wednesday’s ODI provided an entirely different balance of power. Afghanistan took the early wickets, controlled the middle overs and completed the result comfortably.
Rashid Khan Looks Ahead to the Final Against Zimbabwe
Rashid believes Afghanistan’s preparation has been positive, particularly following the recent ODI series against Ireland and the two league victories in the UAE.
He emphasized that the team should not change its approach simply because the next match is a final.
“We need to keep playing our positive cricket for as long as possible.”
That approach has been effective in the tournament so far. Afghanistan have combined top-order batting depth with seam bowling that creates early breakthroughs and a spin attack capable of finishing innings.
Zimbabwe experienced the full force of that combination in the opening league encounter. Sediqullah Atal scored 102, Ibrahim Zadran contributed 90 and Rashid took 4/17 as Afghanistan secured a 158-run victory.
The final will present Zimbabwe with an immediate opportunity to respond, while Afghanistan will attempt to complete the competition unbeaten.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s official series schedule confirms that the final will take place at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 23.
The ICC’s tour announcement also places the tournament within Afghanistan’s wider home international schedule, which continues with T20Is and Tests against Zimbabwe.
Afghanistan vs Bangladesh: Frequently Asked Questions
Who Won the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh ODI on October 21, 2026?
Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by seven wickets at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the third match of the UAE ODI Tri-Series.
What Was the Final Score of Afghanistan vs Bangladesh?
Bangladesh scored 160 all out in 41.2 overs. Afghanistan replied with 161/3 in 35.3 overs, winning with 87 balls remaining.
Who Was Player of the Match?
Rashid Khan was named Player of the Match after taking four wickets for 31 runs in 8.2 overs.
How Many Wickets Did Rashid Khan Take?
Rashid took four wickets, dismissing Shoriful Islam, Parvez Hossain Emon, Aliss Al Islam and Mustafizur Rahman.
Who Scored the Most Runs for Bangladesh?
Parvez Hossain Emon scored 70 from 96 balls, including five fours and two sixes.
Who Scored the Most Runs for Afghanistan?
Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah remained unbeaten on 67 from 90 balls, with five boundaries.
Why Did Bangladesh Collapse to 28/4?
Yamin Ahmadzai dismissed Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar, while Azmatullah Omarzai removed Najmul Hossain Shanto and captain Towhid Hridoy inside the first seven overs.
Which Teams Qualified for the UAE ODI Tri-Series Final?
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe qualified for the final. Bangladesh were eliminated after losing both league matches.
When Is the UAE ODI Tri-Series Final?
Afghanistan will face Zimbabwe on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.
The Sports Encounter’s Verdict: Afghanistan’s Bowling Depth Is Becoming Its Greatest Weapon
Rashid Khan will deservedly receive most of the attention after another four-wicket performance, but Afghanistan’s success was a collective effort that exposed weaknesses Bangladesh could not overcome.
Ahmadzai and Omarzai removed the top order. Ghazanfar maintained pressure without needing to take wickets. Nabi contributed with batters’ dismissals and a spectacular catch. Rashid then finished the innings with four wickets.
When Afghanistan began their chase, Rahmat Shah supplied the composure required to prevent a modest target from becoming complicated.
The result reflects a team increasingly comfortable winning ODIs through different combinations of skills.
Bangladesh, by contrast, leave Sharjah with more questions about their batting structure, early-innings decision-making and ability to rebuild without surrendering the scoring rate.
The two teams had shared a remarkable drawn Test only eight days earlier. Wednesday’s ODI was far less competitive, illustrating how quickly Afghanistan’s bowling attack can take control when conditions and match situations suit its strengths.
Afghanistan now advance to the final against Zimbabwe with two convincing league victories behind them. The challenge is to deliver the same all-round discipline one more time.
Related coverage: Follow the latest match reports and cricket analysis through The Sports Encounter’s cricket coverage hub. Readers can also revisit Bangladesh’s earlier T20I series comeback against Zimbabwe for perspective on their contrasting recent results.
Editorial methodology: Match statistics, dismissals, bowling figures and player comments are based on the supplied official-style match scorecard and post-match remarks. Tournament dates, squads and background were cross-checked against International Cricket Council and Afghanistan Cricket Board publications. Analysis of tactics, partnerships and match implications is by The Sports Encounter.