Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in the 2026 ODI tri-series in the UAE, chasing 161 in 35.3 overs. The result eliminates Bangladesh and sets up a finale against Zimbabwe. This analysis breaks down the key numbers behind the win.
Match Summary and Result
Bangladesh chose to bat and were bowled out for 160 in 41.2 overs. Afghanistan replied with 161 for 3 in 35.3 overs, finishing with 87 balls unused.
The win was built on early wickets with the new ball and a steady chase led by captain Rahmat Shah.
| Team | Score | Overs | Run Rate |
|---|
| Bangladesh | 160 all out | 41.2 | 3.87 |
| Afghanistan | 161/3 | 35.3 | 4.54 |
Afghanistan scored at roughly 0.67 runs per over faster than Bangladesh, a gap that reflects the control they held throughout.
Bangladesh Innings: Early Collapse Defines the Total
New-Ball Impact
Yamin Ahmadzai removed Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Soumya Sarkar in consecutive deliveries of his opening over. Azmatullah Omarzai then dismissed Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy.
Bangladesh were 28 for 4 inside seven overs, a position that left little room for a competitive total.
The Recovery Stand
Parvez Hossain Emon and Saif Hassan added 93 runs for the fifth wicket, which accounted for 58% of the final total. Mohammad Nabi ended the stand by dismissing Saif for 41.
Emon top-scored with 70 off 96 balls, a strike rate of 72.92, before falling lbw to Rashid Khan.
Tail Collapse
Bangladesh went from 121 to 160 all out in the next 10 overs. No lower-order batter offered meaningful resistance as Rashid took the remaining wickets to finish the innings.
| Bowler | Figures | Notes |
|---|
| Rashid Khan | 4-31 (8.2 overs) | Economy of about 3.72 |
| Yamin Ahmadzai | 2-21 | Two wickets in his first over |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 2-27 | Removed Shanto and Hridoy |
| Mohammad Nabi | Broke the 93-run stand | Dismissed Saif Hassan for 41 |
Rashid's 4-31 was the best return of the match, achieved at an economy rate below four runs per over.
Afghanistan Chase: Anchored by Rahmat Shah
Early Setbacks
Taskin Ahmed dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz (6) and Sediqullah Atal (4), leaving Afghanistan at 39 for 2 in the seventh over. Taskin finished with 2-36.
It was the only phase in which Bangladesh had any traction, and it lasted fewer than seven overs.
Partnerships That Sealed the Chase
Ibrahim Zadran made 34 off 48 balls and added 56 with Rahmat before falling to Mustafizur Rahman. Rahmat then added an unbroken 66 with Hashmatullah Shahidi.
Rahmat finished on 67 not out off 90 balls, a strike rate of 74.44. Shahidi remained unbeaten on 36.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Status |
|---|
| Rahmat Shah | 67 | 90 | 74.44 | Not out |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi | 36 | - | - | Not out |
| Ibrahim Zadran | 34 | 48 | 70.83 | b Mustafizur Rahman |
The three partnerships after the early losses of 39 for 2 were worth 56 and 66, with Rahmat present for both.
Key Takeaways and What Comes Next
Partnership Comparison
Partnerships shaped both innings. Bangladesh's only major stand was the 93-run fifth-wicket partnership, while Afghanistan built two stands of 56 and 66 around their captain.
| Innings | Partnership | Runs |
|---|
| Bangladesh | Emon and Saif Hassan (5th wkt) | 93 |
| Afghanistan | Zadran and Rahmat Shah | 56 |
| Afghanistan | Rahmat Shah and Shahidi (unbroken) | 66 |
Tournament Implications
The result knocks Bangladesh out of the tri-series. Afghanistan now move on to the final league game against Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh's top four contributed just 28 runs before the recovery, and that early collapse proved decisive. Afghanistan's seam attack and Rashid's wicket-taking through the middle and lower order left the target well within reach.