- In-form Afghanistan heavy favourites in tri-series final against Zimbabwe This will be the first ODI tournament final in Sharjah since 2003, and Afghanistan go into it as the team in form, while Zimbabwe will hope their batters come good The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India vs Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 Shane Warne Australia v New Zealand 2nd Test, Day One, at the WACA, Perth, Thursday November 20th 1997 Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, Afghanistan vs India, 2nd T20I, New Delhi, September 15, 2026 Afghanistan will walk out as favourites against Zimbabwe in the ODI tri-series final in Sharjah, which is hosting its first ODI tournament final after 23 years.
- Afghanistan have comfortably won both round-robin matches over the week, trampling Zimbabwe and Bangladesh with bat and ball.
- Afghanistan crushed Bangladesh in their last match, beating them by seven wickets with 87 balls to spare.
In-form Afghanistan heavy favourites in tri-series final against Zimbabwe This will be the first ODI tournament final in Sharjah since 2003, and Afghanistan go into it as the team in form, while Zimbabwe will hope their batters come good The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India vs Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 Shane Warne Australia v New Zealand 2nd Test, Day One, at the WACA, Perth, Thursday November 20th 1997 Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, Afghanistan vs India, 2nd T20I, New Delhi, September 15, 2026 Afghanistan will walk out as favourites against Zimbabwe in the ODI tri-series final in Sharjah, which is hosting its first ODI tournament final after 23 years.
Afghanistan have comfortably won both round-robin matches over the week, trampling Zimbabwe and Bangladesh with bat and ball. Afghanistan crushed Bangladesh in their last match, beating them by seven wickets with 87 balls to spare. Their fast bowlers, Yamin Ahmadzai and Azmatullah Omarzai, cracked open the Bangladesh top order before Rashid Khan ran through the lower order.
There was support from the rest of the bowling attack but to have most of the work done before Rashid could open his account was a huge credit to the side. Batting-wise too, it wasn’t a one- or two-man show. Afghanistan have several established batters who are proficient in the format.
Ibrahim Zadran has been among the runs, while Zimbabwe would be wary of Sediqullah Atal’s new-found penchant for big runs: Atal scored a century against Zimbabwe on Monday after his match-saving fourth-innings heroics against Bangladesh in the one-off Test last week. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi have warmed up well for the final with unbeaten knocks against Bangladesh. And Zimbabwe must be aware that Rahmanullah Gurbaz hasn’t gotten going yet, while the allrounders – Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi and Rashid – haven’t had to make substantial contributions with the bat yet.
All of this, of course, doesn’t mean Zimbabwe are in the final just to make up the numbers. Sikandar Raza’s side also dominated Bangladesh, with Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor scoring important half-centuries. Ervine should return for the final after missing out against Afghanistan, while Zimbabwe will expect their top three – Brian Bennett, Ben Curran and Tafadzwa Tsiga – to fire after not doing much in the two outings.
Their bowling is what makes Zimbabwe tough opponents. Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans have the skills and experience, and Ernest Masuku has shown that his energy can be handy when others aren’t taking the wickets. Raza and Wellington Masakadza would be expected to bowl their full quota of overs too.
Zimbabwe will hope to find gs in Afghanistan’s armour, but at the moment, those are mostly invisible. Afghanistan : WWWWW (last five completed ODIs, most recent first) Zimbabwe LWLLL Sikandar Raza goes one-handed over the off side, Zimbabwe vs Australia, 3rd ODI, Harare, September 20, 2026 The final could come down to Rashid Khan bowling his two spells, irrespective of whether Afghanistan bat or bowl first. He has taken four wickets each in the two round-robin matches.
Zimbabwe have struggled to get Rashid away, particularly having lost early wickets, and it could play out similarly in the final. Sikandar Raza has to be the one to stop Rashid. Raza has faced Rashid the most in ODIs among the Zimbabwe batters.
He has also got out the most – seven times – to Rashid, but has struck Rashid for the most boundaries. He will be expected to rally his side with the bat, especially if there is another top-order failure, while also contributing with the ball. Afghanistan (probable) : 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Sediqullah Atal, 4 Rahmat Shah (ct), 5 Hashmatullah Shahidi, 6 Azmatullah Omarzai, 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 AM Ghazanfar, 10 Yamin Ahmadzai, 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi Craig Ervine’s return will strengthen the middle order, but might they be tempted to send him back to No.
3, where newcomer Tsiga has struggled? Zimbabwe (probable) : 1 Brian Bennett, 2 Ben Curran, 3 Tafadzwa Tsiga, 4 Brendan Taylor (wk), 5 Craig Ervine, 6 Sikandar Raza (ct), 7 Wessly Madhevere, 8 Brad Evans, 9 Wellington Masakadza, 10 Ernest Masuku, 11 Blessing Muzarabani Sediqullah Atal made 102 against Zimbabwe, Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, Tri-series, Abu Dhabi, October 19, 2026 While the toss is important, Sharjah’s short boundaries will be a release for batters regardless of who bats first and who chases. It is expected to be hot and humid, as is usual at this time of the year.
It will be the first ODI tournament final to be held in Sharjah since 2003. Incidentally, Zimbabwe had played that final too , against Pakistan. Rashid has taken back-to-back four-wicket hauls, against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, for the first time in his ODI career.
Raza will become the oldest ctain to lead a side in an ODI tournament final among Full-Member sides after Clive Lloyd did it at the age of 40 years and 165 days in 1985. “I think all things are equal when you come into a final. It’s not an easy game.
So we need to turn up, we need to play our best cricket. As Zimbabwe showed in their first game against Bangladesh, they’ve got some very experienced players in the side and they can put in big performances. So we’ll be treating them with a lot of respect.” Afghanistan coach Richard Pybus .
This will be the first ODI tournament final in Sharjah since 2003, and Afghanistan go into it as the team in form, while Zimbabwe will hope their batters come good Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, Afghanistan vs India, 2nd T20I, New Delhi, September 15, 2026 Omarzai takes a stunner. Another one-handed caught and bowled! This was bound to hpen; pressure was building for the opening batter.
Pace off length ball around off, plays off the front foot and the bat face rotates after mis-hitting the ball, chips it to the right of Omarzai. He just sticks out his right hand, plucks the ball right out of thin air and makes it look completely effortless! Rattles the stumps and Marumani’s stint with the bat is cut short!
An ugly dismissal for any opening batter. Good length ball darted on the stumps, sharp inwanrds movement does the trick, massive g between bat-pad as Marumani tries to push this one to the on-side with the cross bat, no visible foot movement, plays down the wrong line completely, and the stumps are castled! Farooqi gets Tsiga, again!
Full and overpitched ball angling in on the leg stump line, flicked away with the inner part of the bat and hits it aerially to the right of Ghazanfar at square leg. The fielder in the ring flies to his right, dives full stretch and plucks out a stunning one-handed catch! Tsiga stands there in absolute disbelief, and Taylor is completely shell-shocked at the non-striker’s end.
That has to be a contender for catch of the year! Edged and through to the keeper! Shortish length ball outside off, good carry off the pitch and shes away a wee bit.
Taylor tries to slice it over the point region, only manages to tickle off the outside edge and Gurbaz does the rest behind the stumps. More trouble for Zimbabwe! Rashid has the last laugh!
Tossed up and angling in at middle, straightens a touch, miscues the skier and gets caught at long-off Lobs up a bit short from around the wicket, it’s a harmless shorter delivery and erred on the legs, he tries to pounce on it by planting front leg and miscues it completely, finds Sami at deep square who came charging in from the rope and took a wonderful catch. This was not what the doctor prescribed for Zimbabwe. Just when they got the partnership going and were laying the groundwork for heavy-lifting later, Nabi, the veteran, uncouples them at a critical juncture of the game.
More pressure on Raza to bat deep and give Zimbabwe a competitive total to fight with. Afghanistan rejoice another vital breakthrough Nabi strikes again, deceives him in the flight, very slow through the air and gets it to turn in with the arm, he has a rush of blood as he comes dancing down the track, trying to clobber him down the ground and ends up getting beaten by the sharp drift and Gurbaz does the rest; flicks his right hand out full-stretched and quickly whips off the bails, Madhevere had no chance to get back inside the crease. This choice of shot won’t amuse Raza and Zimbabwe fans at all as they would fail to comprehend the rush and urgency which is not required at the moment as there is a long way to go, 21 overs left.
This is madness and akin to shooting yourself in the foot. On the other hand, Afghanistan don’t have to break a sweat to pick wickets; all too easy at the moment for the hosts. Nabi has picked up his 300th wicket; a great milestone for the Afghanistan’s seasoned campaigner.
That turned back viciously from outside off and thumped his pads as he went back deep in the crease to block. He has reviewed it. Pitched on a length and came back, he brought his bat down in an attempt to get behind the line but got beaten by the turn, three reds on the DRS and the on-field decision stands; just too good for thee.
So it would have to be Raza to handle the bulk of strike if they are to get anywhere close to 200. Don’t think the others can face the music and deal with the quality spin. It’s going from bad to worse for Zimbabwe and the collse is exacerbating the pressure on Raza And Raza would rue exposing Nyamhuri for two balls.
He goes without troubling the scorers. Landed on a length at middle and then deviated a touch as he lunged forward desperately to get something behind but the ball ripped past the outside edge and crashed onto the off-stump; it’s a procession. Rashid being Rashid, sets him beautifully, mixes it up and flummoxes him with this pearler of a legbreak.
He wanted to flick it and that little bit of turn was enough as he got forward and lost his balance as well. Now Raza needs to channel his inner Maxwell and produce something extraordinary, just as Glenn Maxwell did against Afghanistan at the 2023 World Cup Rashid Khan finished with 3 for 41, Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, Tri-series final, Sharjah, October 23, 2026 Fired in full from around the wicket, slanting in and it kept touch low, he couldn’t connect and it looks stone dead, pinned in front, umpire didn’t hesitate to lift the finger but he is gonna take his chances and sends it for another look. Not bat involved as confirmed by the ultraedge.
Landing outside off, impact in line and clattering the middle-stump so the final resistance is over and Zimbabwe huff and puff their way to a below-par 169. Excellent change of angle and it was hard to negotiate for Masakadza Rattles the stumps and Marumani’s stint with the bat is cut short! An ugly dismissal for any opening batter.
Good length ball darted on the stumps, sharp inwanrds movement does the trick, massive g between bat-pad as Marumani tries to push this one to the on-side with the cross bat, no visible foot movement, plays down the wrong line completely, and the stumps are castled! Farooqi gets Tsiga, again! Full and overpitched ball angling in on the leg stump line, flicked away with the inner part of the bat and hits it aerially to the right of Ghazanfar at square leg.
The fielder in the ring flies to his right, dives full stretch and plucks out a stunning one-handed catch! Tsiga stands there in absolute disbelief, and Taylor is completely shell-shocked at the non-striker’s end. That has to be a contender for catch of the year!
Omarzai takes a stunner. Another one-handed caught and bowled! This was bound to hpen; pressure was building for the opening batter.
Pace off length ball around off, plays off the front foot and the bat face rotates after mis-hitting the ball, chips it to the right of Omarzai. He just sticks out his right hand, plucks the ball right out of thin air and makes it look completely effortless! Edged and through to the keeper!
Shortish length ball outside off, good carry off the pitch and shes away a wee bit. Taylor tries to slice it over the point region, only manages to tickle off the outside edge and Gurbaz does the rest behind the stumps. More trouble for Zimbabwe!
Fired in full from around the wicket, slanting in and it kept touch low, he couldn’t connect and it looks stone dead, pinned in front, umpire didn’t hesitate to lift the finger but he is gonna take his chances and sends it for another look. Not bat involved as confirmed by the ultraedge. Landing outside off, impact in line and clattering the middle-stump so the final resistance is over and Zimbabwe huff and puff their way to a below-par 169.
Excellent change of angle and it was hard to negotiate for Masakadza Rashid Khan finished with 3 for 41, Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, Tri-series final, Sharjah, October 23, 2026 That turned back viciously from outside off and thumped his pads as he went back deep in the crease to block. He has reviewed it. Pitched on a length and came back, he brought his bat down in an attempt to get behind the line but got beaten by the turn, three reds on the DRS and the on-field decision stands; just too good for thee.
So it would have to be Raza to handle the bulk of strike if they are to get anywhere close to 200. Don’t think the others can face the music and deal with the quality spin. It’s going from bad to worse for Zimbabwe and the collse is exacerbating the pressure on Raza And Raza would rue exposing Nyamhuri for two balls.
He goes without troubling the scorers. Landed on a length at middle and then deviated a touch as he lunged forward desperately to get something behind but the ball ripped past the outside edge and crashed onto the off-stump; it’s a procession. Rashid being Rashid, sets him beautifully, mixes it up and flummoxes him with this pearler of a legbreak.
He wanted to flick it and that little bit of turn was enough as he got forward and lost his balance as well. Now Raza needs to channel his inner Maxwell and produce something extraordinary, just as Glenn Maxwell did against Afghanistan at the 2023 World Cup Rashid has the last laugh! Tossed up and angling in at middle, straightens a touch, miscues the skier and gets caught at long-off Lobs up a bit short from around the wicket, it’s a harmless shorter delivery and erred on the legs, he tries to pounce on it by planting front leg and miscues it completely, finds Sami at deep square who came charging in from the rope and took a wonderful catch.
This was not what the doctor prescribed for Zimbabwe. Just when they got the partnership going and were laying the groundwork for heavy-lifting later, Nabi, the veteran, uncouples them at a critical juncture of the game. More pressure on Raza to bat deep and give Zimbabwe a competitive total to fight with.
Afghanistan rejoice another vital breakthrough Nabi strikes again, deceives him in the flight, very slow through the air and gets it to turn in with the arm, he has a rush of blood as he comes dancing down the track, trying to clobber him down the ground and ends up getting beaten by the sharp drift and Gurbaz does the rest; flicks his right hand out full-stretched and quickly whips off the bails, Madhevere had no chance to get back inside the crease. This choice of shot won’t amuse Raza and Zimbabwe fans at all as they would fail to comprehend the rush and urgency which is not required at the moment as there is a long way to go, 21 overs left. This is madness and akin to shooting yourself in the foot.
On the other hand, Afghanistan don’t have to break a sweat to pick wickets; all too easy at the moment for the hosts. Nabi has picked up his 300th wicket; a great milestone for the Afghanistan’s seasoned campaigner. Rattles the stumps and Marumani’s stint with the bat is cut short!
An ugly dismissal for any opening batter. Good length ball darted on the stumps, sharp inwanrds movement does the trick, massive g between bat-pad as Marumani tries to push this one to the on-side with the cross bat, no visible foot movement, plays down the wrong line completely, and the stumps are castled! Omarzai takes a stunner.
Another one-handed caught and bowled! This was bound to hpen; pressure was building for the opening batter. Pace off length ball around off, plays off the front foot and the bat face rotates after mis-hitting the ball, chips it to the right of Omarzai.
He just sticks out his right hand, plucks the ball right out of thin air and makes it look completely effortless! Farooqi gets Tsiga, again! Full and overpitched ball angling in on the leg stump line, flicked away with the inner part of the bat and hits it aerially to the right of Ghazanfar at square leg.
The fielder in the ring flies to his right, dives full stretch and plucks out a stunning one-handed catch! Tsiga stands there in absolute disbelief, and Taylor is completely shell-shocked at the non-striker’s end. That has to be a contender for catch of the year!
Edged and through to the keeper! Shortish length ball outside off, good carry off the pitch and shes away a wee bit. Taylor tries to slice it over the point region, only manages to tickle off the outside edge and Gurbaz does the rest behind the stumps.
More trouble for Zimbabwe! Lobs up a bit short from around the wicket, it’s a harmless shorter delivery and erred on the legs, he tries to pounce on it by planting front leg and miscues it completely, finds Sami at deep square who came charging in from the rope and took a wonderful catch. This was not what the doctor prescribed for Zimbabwe.
Just when they got the partnership going and were laying the groundwork for heavy-lifting later, Nabi, the veteran, uncouples them at a critical juncture of the game. More pressure on Raza to bat deep and give Zimbabwe a competitive total to fight with. Afghanistan rejoice another vital breakthrough Nabi strikes again, deceives him in the flight, very slow through the air and gets it to turn in with the arm, he has a rush of blood as he comes dancing down the track, trying to clobber him down the ground and ends up getting beaten by the sharp drift and Gurbaz does the rest; flicks his right hand out full-stretched and quickly whips off the bails, Madhevere had no chance to get back inside the crease.
This choice of shot won’t amuse Raza and Zimbabwe fans at all as they would fail to comprehend the rush and urgency which is not required at the moment as there is a long way to go, 21 overs left. This is madness and akin to shooting yourself in the foot. On the other hand, Afghanistan don’t have to break a sweat to pick wickets; all too easy at the moment for the hosts.
Nabi has picked up his 300th wicket; a great milestone for the Afghanistan’s seasoned campaigner. That turned back viciously from outside off and thumped his pads as he went back deep in the crease to block. He has reviewed it.
Pitched on a length and came back, he brought his bat down in an attempt to get behind the line but got beaten by the turn, three reds on the DRS and the on-field decision stands; just too good for thee. So it would have to be Raza to handle the bulk of strike if they are to get anywhere close to 200. Don’t think the others can face the music and deal with the quality spin.
It’s going from bad to worse for Zimbabwe and the collse is exacerbating the pressure on Raza And Raza would rue exposing Nyamhuri for two balls. He goes without troubling the scorers. Landed on a length at middle and then deviated a touch as he lunged forward desperately to get something behind but the ball ripped past the outside edge and crashed onto the off-stump; it’s a procession.
Rashid being Rashid, sets him beautifully, mixes it up and flummoxes him with this pearler of a legbreak. He wanted to flick it and that little bit of turn was enough as he got forward and lost his balance as well. Now Raza needs to channel his inner Maxwell and produce something extraordinary, just as Glenn Maxwell did against Afghanistan at the 2023 World Cup Rashid Khan finished with 3 for 41, Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, Tri-series final, Sharjah, October 23, 2026 Rashid has the last laugh!
Tossed up and angling in at middle, straightens a touch, miscues the skier and gets caught at long-off Fired in full from around the wicket, slanting in and it kept touch low, he couldn’t connect and it looks stone dead, pinned in front, umpire didn’t hesitate to lift the finger but he is gonna take his chances and sends it for another look. Not bat involved as confirmed by the ultraedge. Landing outside off, impact in line and clattering the middle-stump so the final resistance is over and Zimbabwe huff and puff their way to a below-par 169.
Excellent change of angle and it was hard to negotiate for Masakadza Soft dismissal! Nyamhuri finds the breakthrough! Full and overpitched ball wide outside off, Gurbaz stays planted inside the crease and extends his arms, slices it low and straight to the backward point ring fielder at the edge of the circle and Madhevere grabs it safely.
Gurbaz gives a helpless look at his batting partner and then trudges back to the dugout. Feathers it to the keeper! Nyamhuri keeps on picking up wickets for fun.
Banged in short pitched ball outside off, extra bounce off the pitch and Atal goes for the full swing of the bat swivel pull shot. The batter only manages to feather an outside edge to the keeper and Taylor grabs the sitter comfortably. Fraction short and it veers in at middle, sticks in the surface, tries to lift it up and over midwicket but finds Burl who TAKES AN ABSOLUTE SCREAMER at midwicket, jumped full-stretch and instinctively lifted his hands up and the ball stuck in as well, that is an unbelievable catch!!!
Zimbabwe are all smiles and have something to cheer for. It was a one-handed left hand catch. Jumped like superman and plucked it out of thin air Soft dismissal!
Nyamhuri finds the breakthrough! Full and overpitched ball wide outside off, Gurbaz stays planted inside the crease and extends his arms, slices it low and straight to the backward point ring fielder at the edge of the circle and Madhevere grabs it safely. Gurbaz gives a helpless look at his batting partner and then trudges back to the dugout.
Feathers it to the keeper! Nyamhuri keeps on picking up wickets for fun. Banged in short pitched ball outside off, extra bounce off the pitch and Atal goes for the full swing of the bat swivel pull shot.
The batter only manages to feather an outside edge to the keeper and Taylor grabs the sitter comfortably. Fraction short and it veers in at middle, sticks in the surface, tries to lift it up and over midwicket but finds Burl who TAKES AN ABSOLUTE SCREAMER at midwicket, jumped full-stretch and instinctively lifted his hands up and the ball stuck in as well, that is an unbelievable catch!!! Zimbabwe are all smiles and have something to cheer for.
It was a one-handed left hand catch. Jumped like superman and plucked it out of thin air Soft dismissal! Nyamhuri finds the breakthrough!
Full and overpitched ball wide outside off, Gurbaz stays planted inside the crease and extends his arms, slices it low and straight to the backward point ring fielder at the edge of the circle and Madhevere grabs it safely. Gurbaz gives a helpless look at his batting partner and then trudges back to the dugout. Feathers it to the keeper!
Nyamhuri keeps on picking up wickets for fun. Banged in short pitched ball outside off, extra bounce off the pitch and Atal goes for the full swing of the bat swivel pull shot. The batter only manages to feather an outside edge to the keeper and Taylor grabs the sitter comfortably.
Fraction short and it veers in at middle, sticks in the surface, tries to lift it up and over midwicket but finds Burl who TAKES AN ABSOLUTE SCREAMER at midwicket, jumped full-stretch and instinctively lifted his hands up and the ball stuck in as well, that is an unbelievable catch!!! Zimbabwe are all smiles and have something to cheer for. It was a one-handed left hand catch.
Jumped like superman and plucked it out of thin air Rashid Khan finished with 3 for 41, Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, Tri-series final, Sharjah, October 23, 2026 Zimbabwe brought in Newman Nyamhuri and Tadiwanashe Marumani in place of Ernest Masuku and Ben Curran Fazalhaq Farooqi gets into his delivery le, Pakistan Shaheens vs Afghanistan, Champions Trophy warm-up, Lahore, February 14, 2025 This will be the first ODI tournament final in Sharjah since 2003, and Afghanistan go into it as the team in form, while Zimbabwe will hope their batters come good Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, Afghanistan vs India, 2nd T20I, New Delhi, September 15, 2026 Rashid Khan finished with 3 for 41, Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, Tri-series final, Sharjah, October 23, 2026 This will be the first ODI tournament final in Sharjah since 2003, and Afghanistan go into it as the team in form, while Zimbabwe will hope their batters come good Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, Afghanistan vs India, 2nd T20I, New Delhi, September 15, 2026 UAE ODI Tri-Series 2026/27, AFG vs ZIM Final Match Preview – In-form Afghanistan heavy favourites in tri-series final against Zimbabwe UAE ODI Tri-Series 2026/27 Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Match Preview: This will be the first ODI tournament final in Sharjah since 2003, and Afghanistan go into it as the team in form, while Zimbabwe will hope their batters come good This will be the first ODI tournament final in Sharjah since 2003, and Afghanistan go into it as the team in form, while Zimbabwe will hope their batters come good
