The Afghanistan national cricket team beat Zimbabwe in the final of a tri-series that also featured Bangladesh, chasing down a target of 170 behind Ibrahim Zadran's unbeaten 70, The Daily Star reported.
Bangladesh did not win a match in the series. They lost both of their games, by 99 runs to Zimbabwe in the opener and by seven wickets to Afghanistan, and missed the final.
Afghanistan's run was led by Rashid Khan and younger players such as Bilal Sami and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar. According to The Daily Star, the side has continued to impress with the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027 less than a year away.
Rashid Khan wickets and an early burst sink Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza chose to bat first, but his side's innings never gained momentum. An opening spell from Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai left Zimbabwe at 26/3 in the seventh over.
Bilal Sami then removed the experienced Brendan Taylor for 9. Raza and Ryan Burl added 60 for the next wicket and were the only batters to offer real resistance in the middle order.
That stand ended in the 27th over, when Burl was caught by Bilal off Mohammad Nabi's bowling. Nabi and Rashid then worked through the Zimbabwe lower order, The Daily Star reported.
Raza top-scored with 68 and Burl made 31. Rashid was the pick of the bowlers:
- Rashid Khan: 3-41
- Mohammad Nabi: 2-25
- Bilal Sami: 2-27
- Fazalhaq Farooqi: 2-41
Ibrahim Zadran 70 anchors the chase of 170
Zadran gave the chase a quick start, playing an array of attractive strokes in the early overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz attacked from the other end before he fell in the 10th over with Afghanistan on 68.
Zimbabwe bowled with more discipline between overs 11 and 20. They removed Sediqullah Atal for 6 and conceded 30 runs in that phase. With the required rate close to two an over, Afghanistan's batters could afford to play defensively and edge toward the target, The Daily Star reported.
Skipper Rahmat Shah joined Zadran and the pair moved the score along before hitting two boundaries off Raza in the 27th over. Wessly Madhevere eventually dismissed Rahmat for 43, but Afghanistan completed the chase around the 35th over with Zadran still unbeaten on 70.
How did Bangladesh perform in the tri-series?
Bangladesh played the opening game against Zimbabwe and lost by 99 runs. Craig Ervine scored 93 and Brendan Taylor 81 for Zimbabwe, according to The Daily Star.
Afghanistan then won both of their group games. They beat Zimbabwe by 158 runs and Bangladesh by seven wickets to secure their place in the final. Bangladesh finished the series with two defeats from two matches.
Rashid took eight wickets across those two wins. With his three in the final, he finished with 11 wickets in three matches.
The Daily Star's report did not include full scorecards for Bangladesh's defeats or any reaction from Bangladesh players, coaching staff or the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
What is Afghanistan's schedule after the tri-series?
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe stay together for a three-match T20I series and two Tests. All of those matches will be played in Sharjah:
- 27 October: First T20I
- 29 October: Second T20I
- 1 November: Third T20I
- 5-9 November: First Test
- 13-17 November: Second Test
The first T20I is on Tuesday, a day after the final. Afghanistan will play it with the tri-series title secured and the Cricket World Cup 2027 less than a year off.
Bangladesh's next fixtures were not given in the report. Neither Bangladesh nor any other side is listed in the Afghanistan-Zimbabwe T20I and Test schedule, so Bangladesh have no further confirmed matches against either team on this tour.