Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in Sharjah to book a place in Friday’s UAE tri-series final against Zimbabwe. Rashid Khan took 4 for 31 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 160, and Rahmat Shah’s unbeaten 67 sealed the chase with 87 balls to spare.
Sharjah, UAE: Bangladesh needed a big win on Wednesday to keep their tri-series alive. They left Sharjah without a point and out of the competition, beaten inside 36 overs by an Afghanistan side that has now won both of its matches.
Emon stands alone
Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat, and the innings never found a platform. Parvez Hossain Emon made 70 off 96 balls and Saif Hassan added 41 off 82, but the rest of the order offered little. Yamin Ahmadzai and Azmatullah Omarzai took two wickets apiece, and Bangladesh were dismissed for 160 in 41.2 overs.
Rashid then closed the innings. He finished with 4 for 31, his second four-wicket haul in as many matches in the series after 4 for 17 against Zimbabwe.
Rahmat Shah finishes it
Taskin Ahmed took two wickets and Mustafizur Rahman one for Bangladesh, but 160 was too few to defend. Rahmat Shah finished unbeaten on 67 off 90 balls, and Afghanistan reached 161 for 3 in 35.3 overs, with 87 balls still unused.
Final set, Bangladesh out
The win sends Afghanistan into Friday’s final against Zimbabwe. Afghanistan opened the tournament with a 158-run victory over Zimbabwe, while Bangladesh began theirs with a 99-run defeat by Zimbabwe. The sides had last met when the one-off Test in Abu Dhabi ended in a draw.
Result: Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by seven wickets. Bangladesh 160 all out (41.2 overs; Parvez Hossain Emon 70, Saif Hassan 41; Rashid Khan 4/31). Afghanistan 161 for 3 (35.3 overs; Rahmat Shah 67 not out).
Match: Third match, UAE ODI Tri-Series, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Wednesday 21 October 2026. Afghanistan meet Zimbabwe in the final on Friday 23 October.
