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Afghanistan will take on Bangladesh in Match 3 of the ODI tri-series 2026 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 21. Led by Rahmat Shah, Afghanistan will aim to deliver a strong performance against Litton Das and his men as both teams compete for a place in the final. The tournament also features Zimbabwe, with the top two teams advancing to the summit clash on October 23.
Afghanistan have assembled a competitive squad featuring explosive openers, experienced middle-order batters, quality all-rounders and a formidable spin attack. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal are expected to provide the batting foundation, while Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi will be crucial with the ball. Here is Afghanistan’s predicted playing XI for the Bangladesh encounter.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is expected to open the innings and take responsibility for providing an aggressive start. The right-hander is known for his attacking stroke play and ability to score boundaries during the powerplay. His wicketkeeping skills also make him an important member of the side. Gurbaz will need to balance aggression with caution against Bangladesh’s new-ball bowlers.
Ibrahim Zadran is likely to partner Gurbaz at the top. Unlike his aggressive opening partner, Ibrahim can build an innings through calculated stroke play and solid technique. His ability to bat deep will be important if Afghanistan lose an early wicket. Having returned to the ODI squad after being rested for the one-off Test, he will be eager to make an impact.
Sediqullah Atal could occupy the No. 3 position. The left-handed batter provides variety to the top order and can keep the scoreboard moving against both pace and spin. His role will be to consolidate the innings after the powerplay and build a partnership with the middle order.
Rahmat Shah is expected to bat at No. 4 and lead Afghanistan from the front. The experienced batter is known for his composure and ability to anchor an innings under pressure. His leadership and batting experience will be valuable in Sharjah, particularly if Afghanistan lose multiple wickets during the first half of their innings.
Hashmatullah Shahidi is likely to follow at No. 5. The left-hander offers stability and can build partnerships when the team needs to recover from a difficult position. His ability to negotiate spin could be particularly useful against Bangladesh, who have several options in that department.
Azmatullah Omarzai is expected to feature at No. 6 as a pace-bowling all-rounder. He can accelerate the scoring rate during the final overs and contribute with the ball. His ability to strike boundaries and bowl useful overs makes him one of Afghanistan’s most valuable players in limited-overs cricket.
Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi could bat at No. 7. His experience in international cricket and familiarity with conditions in the UAE make him a valuable option. Nabi’s off-spin could also help Afghanistan control the middle overs and break partnerships.
Rashid Khan is expected to lead Afghanistan’s spin attack. His leg-spin, googly and variations in pace make him a constant wicket-taking threat. Against Bangladesh’s batters, Rashid will look to create pressure through tight lines and force errors during the middle overs.
AM Ghazanfar could provide another spin option in the XI. The young off-spinner offers a different angle from Rashid and can challenge batters who struggle against variations in pace and turn. His inclusion would give Afghanistan greater flexibility in the middle overs.
Fazalhaq Farooqi is likely to spearhead the pace attack with the new ball. His left-arm angle and ability to generate movement can trouble Bangladesh’s top order. He will also be important at the death, where accurate yorkers and changes of pace could restrict the opposition’s scoring.
Bilal Sami could complete the bowling attack. His pace gives Afghanistan another wicket-taking option, while his ability to maintain pressure from the other end could allow Farooqi and Rashid to attack more freely.
Predicted Afghanistan Playing XI vs Bangladesh
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