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Cricbuzz final report: Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe in UAE ODI Tri-Series 2026 final
Afghanistan chased 170 with seven wickets to spare in the tri-series decider, and the same two sides meet again in a three-game T20I series.
Afghanistan finish the chase
Afghanistan reached 170 for 3 in 34.3 overs to win the final of the UAE ODI Tri-Series 2026 against Zimbabwe, and Ibrahim Zadran stayed unbeaten on 70 [1][2][1]. If you follow either side, this was the result that decided the title.
Zadran led the way early in the chase with attractive strokes [1]. Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell in the 10th over with Afghanistan on 68 [1]. Wessly Madhevere dismissed Rahmat Shah for 43 [1].
Zimbabwe bat first and collapse
Zimbabwe's captain Sikandar Raza chose to bat first in the final [1]. The innings ended on 169 all out in 43.3 overs [2].
A sharp opening spell from Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai gave Afghanistan an early advantage and left Zimbabwe at 26/3 in the seventh over [1]. Brendan Taylor was then caught behind by Gurbaz off Bilal Sami, with Zimbabwe at 55/4 [2].
The Raza and Burl stand
Raza (68) and Ryan Burl (31) were the only Zimbabwe batters to show some resistance in the middle order [1]. They put together a 60-run stand for the fifth wicket [1].
Burl was caught by Bilal Sami off Mohammad Nabi's bowling in the 27th over, which opened the floodgates for Zimbabwe's collapse [1]. Madhevere was also dismissed by Gurbaz off Nabi's bowling after going down the track [2].
Rashid and Nabi do the damage
Nabi and Rashid Khan ran through Zimbabwe's lower order [1]. Rashid was the best bowler in the final, finishing with 3 wickets for 41 runs [1].
Nabi took his 300th wicket in the match [2].
How the tri-series built up
Zimbabwe had earlier won the first game of the tri-series by defeating Bangladesh by 99 runs, with Craig Ervine (93) and Brendan Taylor (81) batting well [1]. Afghanistan earlier beat Zimbabwe by 158 runs in the tri-series [1].
Rashid took eight wickets across the two earlier tri-series wins [1]. The Cricket World Cup 2027 is less than a year away, and Afghanistan have been fielding younger talent such as Bilal Sami [1].
What to watch next
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will next play a three-game T20I series [1]. The first T20I is on 27 October, the second on 29 October and the third on 1 November [1].
If you want to follow the rematch, those are the three dates to mark [1].
Sources
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