Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Live Score, Final of Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh tour of UAE, 2026

Curtains down on the Tri-Series finale - And that brings the curtains down on an electric finale as Afghanistan are officially crowned the Tri-Series champions! Rahmat Shah proudly hoists the silverware into the air, flashing a wide smile as his teammates erupt into well-deserved celebrations to cap off a commanding campaign. It has been an absolute pleasure bringing you every moment of the action, and we hope you enjoyed our company as much as we enjoyed yours throughout this tournament. Until the next one, thank you for tuning in, take care, and cheers!

The captain of Afghanistan - Rahmat Shah says that they concentrated on rotating the strike and that worked for them. He congratulates his countrymen and expresses deep pride in lifting the tri-series trophy. Explaining the cautious run chase, he shares that the tactical plan is to bat deep and prioritize strike rotation over boundary-hitting to preserve wickets and keep the pressure on the opposition. Becoming the first Afghan captain to record seven consecutive ODI wins, Rahmat credits the historic streak to a collective team effort with both bat and ball, emphasizing that the squad aims to maintain this strong momentum moving forward.

The captain of Zimbabwe - Sikandar Raza expresses disappointment over being left without support from the other end, emphasizing that winning finals demands a collective team effort rather than solitary heroics. He points out the recurring top-order collapses as a major worry and notes that having only two days to prepare leaves the squad struggling to adjust to the intense heat and unfamiliar subcontinent conditions, an issue he plans to raise with the board. Despite physical discomfort and tough circumstances, Raza highlights the importance of mental grit, stating that he continues to grind because putting the team's needs above personal hardship is what defines their squad.

Player of the Series - Rashid Khan is the Player of the Series for his 11 wickets in 3 games. He highlights that winning the tri-series provides a vital morale boost for the upcoming T20Is, urging the squad to carry this winning momentum forward after learning valuable lessons against India. Emphasizing that the batters must take greater responsibility to play deep and the bowling unit must continue to sharpen its skills, Rashid candidly notes that Afghanistan is not yet fully prepared for the 2027 World Cup. He stresses that adapting to unfamiliar conditions requires substantial effort and continuous improvement so the team can deliver an even stronger campaign than in 2023.

Player of the Match - Ibrahim Zadran is the Player of the Match for his unbeaten knock of 70 runs. He expresses satisfaction with finding his batting rhythm and aims to carry this strong momentum into the upcoming T20I series after giving his hundred percent in the one-dayers. Reflecting on his partnership with Rahmat Shah, he highlights their habit of staying calm, communicating clearly, and breaking the run chase down into steady mini-partnerships. Despite the pressure of losing back-to-back wickets, Zadran maintains his composure by keeping the scoreboard ticking through smart strike rotation and busy running between the wickets, which he says injects vital positive energy into the team.

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Zadran and Rahmat anchor the championship finish - Ibrahim Zadran took total control of the chase, playing the anchor role with a measured, match-winning half-century. Alongside Rahmat Shah, Zadran stitched a calm 82-run stand that effectively shut the door on Zimbabwe's hopes. Though Wessly Madhevere picked up Rahmat late in the 33rd over, skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi joined Zadran to take Afghanistan across the line with 7 wickets and plenty of overs in hand to seal the tri-series silverware.

Gurbaz flies early - Chasing a modest 170, Afghanistan got off to a flying start as Rahmanullah Gurbaz went on the attack, smashing 36 off 31 balls in a lively 68-run opening stand. Zimbabwe seam bowler Newman Nyamhuri provided the breakthrough by sending back Gurbaz and then removing Sediqullah Atal for 6 to reduce Afghanistan to 80/2. Zimbabwe bowled tightly around the drinks break, holding boundaries for a while, but with such a low target to defend, their brief spell of pressure was not enough to rattle the chase.

Disciplined Afghan attack restricts Zimbabwe - The first innings was completely owned by Afghanistan's bowlers after Zimbabwe chose to bat. Seamers Fazalhaq Farooqi (2/41) and Bilal Sami (2/27) tore through the Chevrons' top order before Rashid Khan celebrated his 250th international match in style with 3/41. Mohammad Nabi kept things tight with 2/25 in his 10 overs. Sikandar Raza played a valiant captain's knock of 68 off 83 balls, adding 60 with Ryan Burl and finding late resistance in a 32-run final-wicket stand, but Zimbabwe were bundled out for just 169.

Afghanistan crowned Tri-Series champions - Afghanistan lift the tri-series trophy in style with a clinical and commanding display. For Zimbabwe, it is a story of what could have been; after winning the toss and choosing to bat first, their top and middle order crumbled without showing enough resistance. Zimbabwe desperately needed their top-order batters to build partnerships and support skipper Sikandar Raza, rather than leaving him isolated with too few runs on the board to challenge a confident Afghan batting lineup.

FOUR! That will do! Short and wide, Hashmatullah Shahidi latches onto it and cuts it through cover-point for a boundary. Afghanistan win by 7 wickets and clinch this Tri-Series.

Fired in, on off, Hashmatullah Shahidi guides it to third man for a brace.

Flatter, on off, Hashmatullah Shahidi punches it to cover.

Turning in, on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it to cover.

A bit short, on leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi tucks it through square leg for a single.

Nice and full, on off, Ibrahim Zadran knocks it down the ground for a single.

Shortish, on off, Ibrahim Zadran eases it to mid on.

Fired in, on off, Ibrahim Zadran blocks it back to the bowler.

A bit short, on leg, Ibrahim Zadran tucks it to mid-wicket.

Fullish, on off, Hashmatullah Shahidi pushes it to cover.

With just 8 runs needed, Hashmatullah Shahidi walks in to bat.

OUT! TAKEN! That's an unbelievable catch from Ryan Burl. Short, on off, Rahmat Shah pulls it to mid-wicket. Ryan Burl flies over to his left and takes a one handed blinder. The Afghan skipper misses out on a half century and walks back in disbelief.

Short, on middle, Rahmat Shah blocks it back to the bowler.

Fired in, on off, Ibrahim Zadran knocks it down the ground for a single.

Flatter, outside off, Rahmat Shah punches it through covers for a single.

Turning in, on off, Rahmat Shah pushes it to cover.

Turn and bounce, on off, Ibrahim Zadran sweeps it to square leg.

Nice and full, on off, Ibrahim Zadran blocks it back to the bowler.

Short, on off, Ibrahim Zadran tugs it to mid-wicket.

Fired in, on off, Ibrahim Zadran eases it back to the bowler.