Zimbabwe to meet Afghanistan in UAE tri-series final
ZIMBABWE will play Afghanistan in the final of the UAE ODI Tri-Series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday. Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in the last group match, which settled the line-up for the final.
Bangladesh were bowled out for 160 in 41.2 overs. Rashid Khan took four for 31, and Azmatullah Omarzai and Yamin Ahmadzai two wickets each. Parvez Hossain Emon top-scored for Bangladesh with 70.
Afghanistan reached 161 for three with 87 balls remaining. Captain Rahmat Shah made 67 not out, and Hashmatullah Shahidi finished unbeaten on 36.
Afghanistan finished the group stage unbeaten with two wins. Zimbabwe qualified in second place after their 99-run win over Bangladesh in the opening match. Bangladesh were eliminated without a win.
Friday’s final is a rematch of Monday’s group game in Abu Dhabi, which Afghanistan won by 158 runs. In that match, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 136 chasing 295.
The final is the first of several meetings between the two sides over the next month. Three T20Is follow from 27 October to 1 November, and then two Tests. Afghanistan are also in Zimbabwe’s Group A at the 2027 World Cup, which Zimbabwe co-host with South Africa and Namibia.
