Final | Tri Series 2026 | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah | 3:30 PM, Friday 23 October 2026

Afghanistan and Zimbabwe meet in Sharjah on 23 October for the title, and both camps still have selection puzzles to solve. Afghanistan are close to settled after beating Bangladesh by seven wickets, with Rashid Khan anchoring everything they do. Zimbabwe’s concern is fitness, because Ervine and Nyamhuri missed the 19 October defeat to Afghanistan. Here is the side each team should field, and the reasoning behind every call, before the toss decides who bats first. Both squads have 15 names, so several tough omissions are coming. 

Form Guide Before the Final 

Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by 99 runs on 17 October, but two days later Afghanistan thrashed them by 158 runs. Afghanistan then took care of Bangladesh by seven wickets on 21 October. That sequence gives the favourites a clear edge. 

Both captains have tweaked their sides at each stage. Zimbabwe brought in Burl and Masuku for Ervine and Nyamhuri on 19 October, and Afghanistan swapped Yamin and Sami for Ziaur and Farooqi two days later. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 136 in that Afghanistan game, which underlines why the choice of spinners will decide plenty. 

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe tri-series 2026 playing XI 

Afghanistan’s strongest unit keeps Yamin in the attack but restores Farooqi, so Sami and Ziaur miss out. Gurbaz and Zadran open, Atal comes in at three, and Rahmat Shah leads from four. Shahidi follows at five. 

Omarzai and Nabi supply the all-round depth before Rashid at eight, which means the tail starts late. Nabi took one wicket for 37 against Zimbabwe and one more against Bangladesh, and he played both games despite sitting out the Ireland ODIs earlier. No injury has been reported for either man, so both should start. 

Rashid Khan and the Spin Threat 

Rashid took 4 for 17 against Zimbabwe and 4 for 31 against Bangladesh, the first time he has claimed back-to-back four-wicket hauls in ODIs. He played both matches, and his only rest has come in Tests.

Zimbabwe’s recent record against spin is not available, but their 136 all out against Afghanistan is telling: spin claimed six wickets while conceding 75 runs from 22.4 overs, with Rashid on 4 for 17, Nabi on 1 for 37 and Ghazanfar on 1 for 21. Afghanistan would be foolish to leave out Ghazanfar when the same attack can repeat that squeeze. 

Raza’s Side and the Ervine Doubt 

Zimbabwe will turn to Sikandar Raza as captain, and the biggest question is whether Ervine passes his fitness test after missing the Afghanistan game. He scored 93 in the 271 for 8 against Bangladesh and Taylor added 81, so the pair give the middle order its best chance of a big total. Bennett and Curran should open with Tsiga at three. 

Nyamhuri is the other injured player, and an update has not been released, so Masuku keeps his place with Muzarabani and Evans as the other quick options. Masakadza offers the only specialist spin. The balance asks a lot of Raza and Madhevere with the ball. 

Sharjah Conditions and Head-to-Head 

The final starts at 3:30 PM local time at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, where ODIs average 223 in the first innings and 190 in the second. That gap favours teams that bat first and defend, which suits Afghanistan’s spin. Afghanistan lead the ODI head-to-head 21 to 10 with one no result, from 32 meetings counting the 19 October game. 

Afghanistan should field the unchanged core with Rashid as the key. Zimbabwe need Ervine fit and their top three to survive the new ball. For anyone choosing the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe tri-series 2026 playing XI, the safest calls are the ones above.  

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Who is in Afghanistan’s likely XI for the final?

Gurbaz and Zadran open, followed by Atal and captain Rahmat Shah. The middle order of Shahidi and Omarzai is backed by Nabi, while Rashid, Ghazanfar, Yamin and Farooqi make up the attack. 

Who is in Zimbabwe’s likely XI for the final?

Bennett, Curran, Tsiga and Taylor form the top four, with captain Raza and Madhevere behind them. Ervine, Evans, Masakadza, Masuku and Muzarabani complete the side, subject to Ervine’s fitness. 

Is Rashid Khan playing in the final?

Yes, Rashid Khan is very likely to play. He is in every probable XI, and no injury has been reported, after taking 4 for 17 and 4 for 31 in his last two games. 

Where is the final being played?

Sharjah Cricket Stadium hosts the final on Friday 23 October, with a 3:30 PM local start. ODIs average 223 in the first innings and 190 in the second, which rewards a side batting first. 

What is the ODI head-to-head between the two teams?

Afghanistan lead the ODI head-to-head 21 to 10, with one no result. That record covers 32 meetings, including their comfortable 158-run win over Zimbabwe on 19 October.