Bangladesh need a heavy win over Afghanistan in Sharjah to reach the tri-series final

Bangladesh must beat Afghanistan in Sharjah on Wednesday and repair a net run rate of -1.980 to reach the tri-series final

Bangladesh reach the last group match of the UAE ODI Tri-Series needing both a win and a margin. A 99-run defeat to Zimbabwe in their opening fixture left them without a point and with much the worst net run rate of the three sides, and one game remains in which to repair it.

Afghanistan, who beat Zimbabwe by 158 runs on 19 October, lead the table on two points and a net run rate of +3.160. Zimbabwe, a win and a defeat from two matches, are also on two points at -0.590. Bangladesh are pointless at -1.980.

The top two meet in the final on 23 October. A win for Afghanistan sends them through with Zimbabwe, so Towhid Hridoy's side must not only beat them but win by enough to climb above the Zimbabweans.

The margin Bangladesh need

Previews of the match put the requirement at about 41 runs if Bangladesh bat first. A score of 250 followed by Afghanistan being dismissed for 209 would lift Bangladesh to -0.580, a fraction clear of Zimbabwe.

Chasing changes the shape of it rather than the difficulty. Set 251, Bangladesh would need to reach the target inside 41.3 overs to make the same move.

Those figures are calculations rather than official targets, and rain or a revised target would redraw them. The principle is not in doubt: a narrow win is unlikely to be enough.

Simmons wants a full 50 overs

Bangladesh conceded 271 for 8 to Zimbabwe on 17 October and were bowled out for 172 in 33.4 overs, having been well placed early in the chase.

Head coach Phil Simmons put the collapse down to game awareness rather than conditions. "When we batted, we just lacked the understanding of the situation," he said, adding that after such a start his batters "just had to make sure we bat for the 50 overs and we'd have won the game."

He reported no loss of morale in the days that followed. "The energy is still good," Simmons said after a team meeting, and of the defeat itself: "We know how to come back from that."

Hridoy leads with Litton ruled out

Bangladesh are without Litton Das, ruled out of the tri-series on 17 October with a right hip joint injury. He had taken over from Mehidy Hasan Miraz as full-time ODI captain earlier in 2026, with next year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in mind.

Hridoy, the vice-captain, leads in his absence. Mehidy missed the Zimbabwe match with a fever and is close to returning.

"It's great to see him as he had been in bed for the last couple of days struggling," Simmons said of the allrounder.

Rashid Khan arrives on top of the rankings

Afghanistan's Rashid Khan extended his lead at the head of the ICC ODI bowling rankings on Tuesday, climbing to 742 rating points and 80 clear of Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed. He also rose two places to sixth among ODI allrounders.

The jump followed 4-17 from eight overs against Zimbabwe, a spell that reduced the chase of 295 to a formality. Zimbabwe were dismissed for 136.

His record against Wednesday's opponents is heavy. Rashid took 11 wickets in Afghanistan's 3-0 ODI sweep of Bangladesh in October 2025, a series in which he reached his 200th ODI wicket.

Atal and Zadran set the tone

Afghanistan's 294 against Zimbabwe was built on Sediqullah Atal's 102 from 110 balls, his third ODI century, and 90 from 96 by Ibrahim Zadran. Atal rose from 32nd to 20th in the ODI batting rankings as a result. Fazalhaq Farooqi then took 2-15.

Rahmat Shah's side have therefore had their top order and their senior spinner deliver inside a week, which is the combination Bangladesh must break.

There was movement for the Bangladesh attack too: Taskin Ahmed climbed nine places to 12th among ODI bowlers after 3-44 against Zimbabwe, with Shoriful Islam up two to 11th.

Afghanistan can settle the group with a win at Sharjah Cricket Stadium; Bangladesh must win, and win heavily, to play again on 23 October.

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