Atal’s century and Rashid’s four-for send Afghanistan into tri-series final
Published: 2026-10-19
Afghanistan booked their place in the tri-series final with a commanding 158-run victory over Zimbabwe at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Monday. Sediqullah Atal’s century helped Afghanistan post 294, before Rashid Khan’s four-wicket haul led the rout of Zimbabwe for 136.
Atal anchors Afghanistan’s innings
After choosing to bat, Afghanistan made a brisk start and their openers put on 50 in seven overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell first, but Ibrahim Zadran and Atal built a century partnership to put the innings on course. Zadran made 90 before Brad Evans dismissed him, 10 runs short of a century.
Quick wickets briefly checked Afghanistan’s progress, but Atal and Hashmatullah Shahidi added 42 to steady the innings. Atal reached his third ODI hundred in the 44th over, scoring 102 from 110 balls before being run out in the following over. Afghanistan added five boundaries in the final four overs and were all out for 294. Evans and Ernest Masuku took three wickets apiece for Zimbabwe.
Rashid breaks Zimbabwe’s resistance
Zimbabwe needed 295 to win and 196 to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive. Their chase unravelled early: Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled Ben Curran and later dismissed Tafadzwa Tsiga, while Brendan Taylor was run out. AM Ghazanfar then trapped Brian Bennett lbw, leaving Zimbabwe at 43 for four.
Ryan Burl and Sikandar Raza briefly revived the innings with a 64-run stand, taking Zimbabwe to 100. Rashid ended the partnership by dismissing Burl lbw, then removed two more batters in successive overs, including bowling Raza for 48. Zimbabwe were eventually all out for 136 in 38.4 overs. Rashid finished with 4-17 and Farooqi took 2-15.
The result lifted Afghanistan’s net run rate to +3.160 and secured their place in Friday’s final. Zimbabwe and Bangladesh remain in contention for the other berth.
Scores: Afghanistan 294 all out in 50 overs (Sediqullah Atal 102, Ibrahim Zadran 90; Brad Evans 3-48, Ernest Masuku 3-44) beat Zimbabwe 136 all out in 38.4 overs (Sikandar Raza 48, Ryan Burl 31; Rashid Khan 4-17, Fazalhaq Farooqi 2-15) by 158 runs.