Afghanistan lifted the UAE ODI Tri-Series 2026 trophy in style, thrashing Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the final at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday. After bowling the opposition out for 169 in 43.3 overs, Afghanistan chased the target down at 170 for 3 in just 34.3 overs, finishing the tournament unbeaten and underlining exactly why they were the team to beat all series long.
How the Match Unfolded
Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat first, but the decision backfired almost immediately. Afghanistan’s pace attack ripped through the top order — Fazalhaq Farooqi cleaned up Tadiwanashe Marumani, while Azmatullah Omarzai pulled off a sharp caught-and-bowled to remove Brian Bennett. Zimbabwe slumped to four wickets down for just 55 runs, and the final looked like it might be over inside the first innings.
Then came the lone Zimbabwean resistance of the evening. Captain Sikandar Raza walked in under familiar pressure and played a captain’s knock of 68 off 83 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes, and added 60 runs for the fifth wicket with Ryan Burl, who made 31 off 45. But once that stand was broken, the wickets tumbled again. Raza’s dismissal at 137 for 9 ended any hope of a competitive total, and Zimbabwe were bowled out for 169 in 43.3 overs.
The chase was never really in doubt. Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave Afghanistan a flying start with 36 off 31 balls, including four fours and two sixes, and shared a 68-run opening stand with Ibrahim Zadran. Zimbabwe briefly fought back when Newman Nyamhuri removed Gurbaz and then Sediqullah Atal for 6, leaving Afghanistan at 80 for 2. But Ibrahim, anchoring the innings with a composed unbeaten 70 off 96 balls, and captain Rahmat Shah, who made 43 off 63, added 82 runs for the third wicket to kill the contest. Wessly Madhevere dismissed Rahmat with only eight runs needed, and Hashmatullah Shahidi struck the winning boundary in the 35th over to seal a seven-wicket victory with 93 balls to spare.
Key Performances
- Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan) — 70* off 96 balls (4 fours, 1 six): anchored the chase and was named Player of the Match.
- Rashid Khan (Afghanistan) — 3 for 41 in 10 overs: led the bowling attack and finished as Player of the Series with 11 wickets in the tournament.
- Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) — 68 off 83 balls (3 fours, 3 sixes): Zimbabwe’s lone fighting knock; the first batter aged 40 or more to score a fifty in an ODI tournament final.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan) — 36 off 31 balls: set the tone with a brisk start.
- Rahmat Shah (Afghanistan) — 43 off 63 balls: the steady hand in the 82-run third-wicket stand.
- Mohammad Nabi — 2 for 25, Fazalhaq Farooqi — 2 for 41, Bilal Sami — 2 for 27 (Afghanistan); Newman Nyamhuri — 2 for 30, Wessly Madhevere — 1 for 8 (Zimbabwe).
Match Scorecard Summary
| Innings | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | 169 all out | 43.3 |
| Afghanistan | 170/3 | 34.3 |
| Result | Afghanistan won by 7 wickets (93 balls remaining) |
What This Win Means
Afghanistan finished the tri-series unbeaten — the most complete side in the competition with bat, ball and in the field. For Zimbabwe, the final was a harsh reminder of the gap: their only victory in the tournament came against Bangladesh, and their top order crumbled in all three matches against Afghanistan’s attack.
The trophy adds another chapter to Afghanistan’s rise in ODI cricket. Rashid Khan’s record-breaking spell of consistency — six successive ODI innings with three or more wickets — and the calm finishing of Ibrahim Zadran suggest this side has genuine depth beyond its star spinner. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will lean on the fighting spirit of their 40-year-old captain but know their batting needs urgent rebuilding before their next assignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe tri-series final 2026?
Afghanistan won the final by 7 wickets, chasing down Zimbabwe’s 169 with 93 balls to spare at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on 23 October 2026.
What were the final scores of the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe final?
Zimbabwe were bowled out for 169 in 43.3 overs, and Afghanistan replied with 170 for 3 in 34.3 overs to win by seven wickets.
Who was the Player of the Match in the tri-series final?
Ibrahim Zadran of Afghanistan was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 70 off 96 balls that anchored the chase. Rashid Khan was named Player of the Series for his 11 tournament wickets.
Where and when was the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe tri-series final played?
The final was played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, on Friday, 23 October 2026 — a day/night fixture starting at 3:30 PM GST.
Who won the toss in the final?
Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first, but were bowled out for a below-par 169.
Did Afghanistan lose any match in the ODI tri-series 2026?
No. Afghanistan finished the tournament unbeaten, winning every match including the final against Zimbabwe.
Conclusion
It was a final that never quite became a contest. Zimbabwe’s batting never recovered from a disastrous start, and Afghanistan’s chase was a lesson in calm, professional finishing. With an unbeaten tournament behind them and a trophy in the cabinet, Afghanistan head into their next series as one of the most consistent ODI sides outside the traditional big names. For Zimbabwe, the search for batting answers continues.
Full ball-by-ball scorecard: https://www.cricinfo.com/series/uae-odi-tri-series-2026-27-1555109/afghanistan-vs-zimbabwe-final-1556871/live-cricket-score
