Afghanistan Beat Zimbabwe by 7 Wickets in UAE Tri-Series Final

Afghanistan Beat Zimbabwe by 7 Wickets to Win UAE ODI Tri-Series Final

Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the final of the UAE ODI Tri-Series on October 23, 2026, delivering an impressive performance with both bat and ball. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 169 runs, before Afghanistan chased down the target of 170 in just 34.3 overs to secure the tournament title.

Ibrahim Zadran led Afghanistan's successful chase with an unbeaten 70, while captain Rahmat Shah contributed 43 runs. Earlier, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza fought hard with a valuable 68, but Afghanistan's bowling attack kept the opposition's total under control.

The victory completed a strong tournament for Afghanistan, who had also defeated Zimbabwe and Bangladesh during the league stage. The final showcased Afghanistan's growing strength in ODI cricket as the team continued its preparations for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027.

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Final: Match Score and Result

The final was played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates. Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat first, hoping to put pressure on Afghanistan with a competitive total.

However, Afghanistan's bowlers struck early and prevented Zimbabwe from building momentum. The visitors were eventually dismissed for 169 in 43.3 overs.

Afghanistan responded confidently, reaching 170 for three wickets in 34.3 overs. The seven-wicket victory came with 93 balls remaining, reflecting the team's control throughout the chase.

Final score:

• Zimbabwe: 169 all out in 43.3 overs

• Afghanistan: 170/3 in 34.3 overs

• Result: Afghanistan won by 7 wickets

• Target: 170 runs

The result confirmed Afghanistan as champions of the ODI Tri-Series featuring Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

Zimbabwe's Batting Struggles and Sikandar Raza's Fighting Innings

Zimbabwe's decision to bat first did not produce the start they wanted. Afghanistan's pace bowlers applied pressure during the opening overs, and Zimbabwe lost several wickets before establishing a strong partnership.

Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai made important early breakthroughs, leaving Zimbabwe struggling at 26 for three in the seventh over. Bilal Sami then dismissed experienced batter Brendan Taylor, further increasing the pressure on the Zimbabwean batting lineup.

Captain Sikandar Raza responded with a determined innings. He scored 68 runs and provided the resistance Zimbabwe desperately needed. Ryan Burl supported him with 31 runs, and the pair added a valuable 60-run partnership that helped their team recover.

However, Afghanistan broke the partnership and continued taking wickets. Zimbabwe's lower order could not produce a significant late recovery, and the innings ended at 169.

Raza's contribution was the standout performance for Zimbabwe, but the team's early losses and limited support for the captain proved costly.

Afghanistan's Bowling Attack Controls the Match

Afghanistan's bowling performance was central to the final result. The attack combined early pace, disciplined middle-over bowling and effective spin to restrict Zimbabwe to a modest total.

Rashid Khan was Afghanistan's leading wicket-taker, finishing with three wickets for 41 runs. Mohammad Nabi claimed two wickets for 25 runs, while Bilal Sami took two for 27. Fazalhaq Farooqi also finished with two wickets, conceding 41 runs.

Azmatullah Omarzai's economical spell helped Afghanistan maintain pressure during the early stages. He conceded only six runs in five overs and took one wicket.

The bowlers worked as a unit, preventing Zimbabwe from turning Raza and Burl's partnership into a match-changing recovery. By dismissing the opposition for 169, Afghanistan gave their batters a manageable target.

Ibrahim Zadran Leads Afghanistan's Successful Chase

Afghanistan began the chase with confidence. Ibrahim Zadran played an important role at the top of the order, finding boundaries and keeping the required run rate comfortably under control.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz supported Zadran during the opening partnership, helping Afghanistan move quickly towards the target. Gurbaz was dismissed with Afghanistan well placed, but the early start meant the team did not need to take unnecessary risks.

Sediqullah Atal also fell during the chase, but Afghanistan remained in a strong position. Ibrahim Zadran continued to bat with patience and control, reaching an unbeaten 70.

Rahmat Shah added 43 runs and partnered Zadran as Afghanistan moved closer to victory. Although Rahmat was dismissed before the finish, the remaining batters completed the chase without allowing Zimbabwe to regain control.

Afghanistan reached 170 for three in 34.3 overs, winning the final by seven wickets.

Why Afghanistan Won the UAE Tri-Series Final

Afghanistan's victory was built on a balanced team performance rather than one individual contribution.

The first major factor was the bowling attack's ability to take early wickets. Zimbabwe lost their top-order batters before they could build a strong foundation, forcing Sikandar Raza to play a recovery role.

The second factor was Afghanistan's calm approach to the chase. With a target of 170, the batters did not need to attack every delivery. Zadran anchored the innings, while Rahmat Shah helped build a partnership that kept the required rate manageable.

Afghanistan also benefited from having experienced players in key roles. Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi helped control Zimbabwe's innings, while Zadran and Rahmat provided stability during the chase.

The seven-wicket margin and the number of balls remaining showed that Afghanistan were comfortably ahead for much of the match.

What the Victory Means for Afghanistan and Zimbabwe

The final win capped Afghanistan's successful campaign in the UAE ODI Tri-Series. Their performances against both Zimbabwe and Bangladesh demonstrated the team's ability to compete with different styles of opposition.

The tournament also offered valuable experience to Afghanistan's younger players, including Bilal Sami and Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar. Such opportunities can help strengthen the team's depth as it prepares for future international competitions.

For Zimbabwe, the final highlighted the importance of stronger starts with the bat. Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl showed that partnerships could help rebuild an innings, but the team needed more contributions from its top order to post a competitive total.

Afghanistan and Zimbabwe are also scheduled to meet in a T20I series and a Test series in Sharjah following the ODI tri-series. Their upcoming encounters will provide both teams with further opportunities to build momentum and assess their squads.

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe Final: Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe final?

Afghanistan won the final by seven wickets, defeating Zimbabwe in the UAE ODI Tri-Series on October 23, 2026.

What was Zimbabwe's total in the final?

Zimbabwe were bowled out for 169 runs in 43.3 overs.

What score did Afghanistan make?

Afghanistan scored 170 for three wickets in 34.3 overs to complete the chase.

How many runs did Ibrahim Zadran score?

Ibrahim Zadran remained unbeaten on 70 runs and played a leading role in Afghanistan's successful chase.

Who was Zimbabwe's top scorer?

Sikandar Raza was Zimbabwe's leading batter, scoring 68 runs. Ryan Burl contributed 31 runs.

How many wickets did Rashid Khan take?

Rashid Khan took three wickets for 41 runs in his 10 overs.

Where was the final played?

The final took place at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

How many overs did Afghanistan need to win?

Afghanistan reached the target in 34.3 overs, with 93 balls remaining.

What was the winning margin?

Afghanistan won by seven wickets.

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