![Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI. [Source - AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1792497545083_AfghanistanPredictedPlayingXI.jpg?type=hq)
Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI. [Source - AFP]
Afghanistan will face Bangladesh in the third ODI of the ongoing UAE Tri-Series on Wednesday, October 21. With both teams having played one match each, Afghanistan’s predicted playing XI will be in focus ahead of their clash against Bangladesh.
Afghanistan began their campaign with a commanding 158-run victory over Zimbabwe and will look to secure a place in the final. Bangladesh, meanwhile, face a must-win contest to qualify for Tri-series final. Here is Afghanistan’s predicted playing XI vs Bangladesh.
Top Order – Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal
Rahmanullah Gurbaz will continue opening after providing Afghanistan with a strong start against Zimbabwe, scoring 25 off 20 balls. He has accumulated 302 ODI runs in 2026, striking at 124.27.
Ibrahim Zadran is a no-brainer for the second opening slot in Afghanistan's predicted playing XI vs Bangladesh after scoring 90 in the previous match. He is Afghanistan’s second-leading ODI run-scorer this year, with 331 runs at an average of 41.37.
Sediqullah Atal will be batting at 3. His brilliant ODI year continued against Zimbabwe as he smashed his third ODI century. He is Afghanistan’s leading run-scorer in 2026, with 457 runs at an impressive average of 65.28.
Middle Order and Allrounders – Rahmat Shah (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan
Rahmat Shah, the skipper, will continue to anchor Afghanistan’s middle-order at No. 4. He endured a poor outing against Zimbabwe, scoring just seven, and will look to make a stronger contribution against Bangladesh.
Azmatullah Omarzai is expected to bat at No. 5 after managing only eight runs in the previous game. However, he impressed with the new ball, conceding just 18 runs in five overs, and will aim to contribute with both bat and ball.
Hashmatullah Shahidi will bring experience and stability to Afghanistan’s middle-order at No. 6. He has already scored a century in ODIs this year and averages 47 in 2026, making him an important figure in the batting lineup.
Mohammad Nabi, the veteran allrounder remains a key finishing option for Afghanistan, despite struggling in ODIs this year. Averaging 13 with a strike-rate of 86.66, Nabi will hope to deliver a stronger performance with both bat and ball.
Rashid Khan remains one of Afghanistan’s most valuable allrounders as he took 4 wickets in the last game. He has claimed 20 ODI wickets in 2026 at an impressive average of 14.1, making him a major threat in the attack.
Bowlers – Allah Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Ziaur Rahman
Allah Ghazanfar impressed against Zimbabwe, restricting their scoring with figures of 1/21 in 7 overs. He will be crucial alongside Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, forming Afghanistan’s spin attack against Bangladesh.
Fazalhaq Farooqi made an impact in the previous match, picking up two early wickets during the powerplay. The left-arm pacer has been Afghanistan’s most economical ODI bowler in 2026, maintaining an economy rate of 4.15.
Ziaur Rahman, still early in his ODI career, has played five matches and claimed one wicket. He is expected to retain his place as third pacer in Afghanistan's predicted playing XI against Bangladesh and will look to make a greater impact.
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