Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Live ஸ்கோர், Match 2 of Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh tour of UAE, 2026

It's getting interesting - With Afghanistan winning by a massive margin of 158 runs, they have virtually confirmed their spot in the final match of this ODI tri-series. Zimbabwe's net run rate has taken a very bad dent and it's now in the negative territory. But it's not all over for them, though. However, with both matches played, they will now be rooting for Afghanistan to beat Bangladesh in the final league game. But still, Bangladesh will need to beat the Afghans by a huge margin as they have the worst net run rate of all three teams. The 3rd and last league match will be played between Afghanistan and Bangladesh on Wednesday, 22nd October, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 11.30 am GMT. But our build-up begins in advance. Until then, take care, cheers!

The captain of Afghanistan - Rahmat Shah is speaking in Pashto, and the presenter translates it into English for everyone. On becoming the first Afghanistan captain to register five consecutive ODI victories, Rahmat Shah says he is extremely happy and congratulates the batting, bowling, and fielding units. He adds that the team will look to continue in the same vein. On the team's performance across all three departments and the dropped catches, he says they will give their maximum effort to keep performing well in every department. On moving to Sharjah for the next matches, Shah says the team has already discussed and prepared for the conditions, regardless of the format. He notes that they have familiarised themselves with the conditions and will arrive prepared, whether the pitches favour spinners or fast bowlers, and will give their best. Rahmat Shah acknowledges that Afghanistan got off to a strong start and were targeting 300 or more, possibly even 320. However, he admits that losing wickets in quick succession in the middle overs brought their total down to around 300.

The skipper of Zimbabwe - Sikandar Raza is not fit and can be seen hobbling off, so on his behalf, Brendan Taylor walks up for a chat. Brendan feels it was a good toss to win, but acknowledges that Afghanistan have shown far greater application and quality. He notes that the wicket is fairly docile, and Zimbabwe's loss of too many wickets in the Powerplay has made things difficult against Afghanistan's world-class spinners. Taylor describes this as a result Zimbabwe need to draw a line under and move past. He admits there is some swing under the lights, but feels the conditions aren't overly difficult, calling it a wasted opportunity, particularly his own dismissal, which he puts down to a misjudgment while trying to be proactive. He says he will reflect on it, and praises Afghanistan for an excellent performance.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Sediqullah Atal takes home the award for his match-winning 102 off 110 balls, graced with eight fours and a six. Sediqullah says he is quite happy with how things are going. He has been working really hard for days like these, he adds, so he can make impactful contributions and help Afghanistan beat every side. Says that comes after back-to-back hundreds in the Test and now in the ACC Tri-Nation ODI Series final. Much of the credit for the innings, he says, goes to his partner. Ibrahim Zadran is a good man to bat with, and the two know each other well, so they communicate easily. Atal says that Zadran tells him to trust himself, and when the bowlers put together a good spell, both remind each other to get the basics right and focus on one ball at a time. When asked whether Afghanistan could have added another 20 to 30 runs before being bowled out, he agrees that the back-to-back wickets cost them a few runs. But adds that the side knew the surface very well, and with a good spin attack and some seamers, they were happy with the total.

The post-match Presentation...

Atal's memorable ton, and a late twist - The Afghan openers gave them a flying start, with Ibrahim Zadran leading the way through a superb knock that fell 10 runs short of a deserved century. Sediqullah Atal, meanwhile, turned a promising start into a brilliant century, with the pair adding 140 for the second wicket to put Afghanistan firmly in control. At 190 for 1, a total well beyond 300 looked on the cards. But Zimbabwe pulled things back sharply, reducing Afghanistan from 190 for 1 to 259 for 5 with regular strikes in the closing stages. The lower order then added useful runs to lift the side to a competitive total. Evans and Masuku were the pick of the bowlers with three wickets apiece, while Muzarabani chipped in with two to ensure Afghanistan did not run away with the game.

Never really got going - With Ervine missing tonight, Zimbabwe were already light on experience, leaving Raza and Burl as the seasoned heads to navigate a storm of problems. Raza himself had been dropped by Omarzai on 20, but in their bid to preserve wickets, the pair merely went through the motions. The scoring slowed to a crawl, boundaries dried up, and when they tried to lift the tempo, Rashid removed Burl first and then Raza to leave the Chevrons reeling at 124/7. And from there, the wheels just came off for the Chevrons.

Blazed with the pace - Zimbabwe's top order found itself under pressure once more. Omarzai and Farooqi, leading Afghanistan's seam attack, struck early blows to leave the Chevrons struggling, with Taylor dismissed cheaply. Brian Bennett, despite surviving an early scare, failed to make his start count, falling to Ghazanfar as Zimbabwe slipped to 43/4. But it was the pace duo that set the tone first up. They extracted good movement from the used pitch and kept the batters under wraps with disciplined lines and lengths.

Afghans crush the Chevrons - It is Rashid Khan's world, and we are simply living in it. He was at his very best and just broke the back of this Zimbabwean batting unit. It was a near-perfect day for Afghanistan. Their bowlers were relentless, with the pace trio laying the platform before the spinners squeezed the life out of the middle overs and kept the runs in check. Whereas nothing really worked out for Zimbabwe. They were sloppy in the field and their top order once again underwhelmed, leaving a lot for the middle order to do which eventually got consumed under tremendous pressure. FYI, Zimbabwe needed to score at least 196 or more to qualify for the finale, but they fell far from that figure as well and will now have to wait for the final league match's result to know their fate.

OUT! MASAKADZA IS RUN OUT! Fuller around off, Wellington Masakadza draws onto his front foot and guides it past the right of Ziaur Rahman at short third. The batters turn for the second and almost made it, but a direct hit at the striker's end by Ziaur Rahman ends the Zimbabwean innings on 136. Afghanistan win by 158 runs.

Is that a run out at the keeper's end? The Afghan players are already celebrating and yes, the side-on replay finds Masakadza out of the crease by a fair margin when the stumps are hit.

Fuller on middle and off, Wellington Masakadza defends this off his back foot.

Fuller around off, Wellington Masakadza defends it out.

Floated on the pads, Wellington Masakadza tucks this to square leg.

Final rites are being read in this match now. Blessing Muzarabani is the last man in for Zimbabwe.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Rashid Khan is unplayable as he picks up his 4th wicket. Tossed up, on middle and off, turning back into the right-hander. Ernest Masuku has no clue where it'll turn and gets beaten on the inside edge. The googly goes through the massive gap between bat and pad and disturbs the furniture. Zimbabwe are 9 down on 135.

Too full, on the pads, Wellington Masakadza tucks this through square leg for a run.

Tossed up, around middle and off, Wellington Masakadza blocks it out.

Wrong'un around off, Wellington Masakadza fails to pick it up and gets beaten.

Floated onto the pads, Wellington Masakadza misses on the flick and gets it clipped off his pads for no run.

Fuller on middle and off, Wellington Masakadza keeps it out.

Tossed up, on the pads, Ernest Masuku tucks this to square leg for a dot.

It's spiralling down quickly now. Afghanistan are just two wickets away from an enormous win. Ernest Masuku is in at number 10.

OUT! CAUGHT! Brad Evans' fireworks are short-lived. A fuller delivery outside off saw him step down and away, but he could only get the bottom edge of his bat on it, sending the ball towards Ibrahim Zadran at deep mid-wicket around his chest with a reverse cup. Zadran made no mistake, taking the catch cleanly. It actually hung up in the air for quite a while as it was mistimed with his bat twisting at the point of contact.

Fuller around off, Brad Evans blocks this to point for no run.

Tossed up, on middle and leg, Brad Evans defends this out.

FOUR! Fuller around the pads, Brad Evans brings out the reverse sweep and hits this up and over the point fielder for a boundary. Brad Evans is having a bit of fun.

SIX! That's been hammered up and over the fence. Fuller around middle and off, Brad Evans goes down on a knee and slog sweeps this out of the park towards the cow corner region for six runs.

A wicket maiden for Rashid Khan. Fuller around off, Wellington Masakadza dabs this to short third.

Tossed up, around off, turning back into the batter. Wellington Masakadza doesn't move his feet much and has a poke at it but gets beaten and is hit on the pads. A loud appeal but the umpire doesn't raise his finger. Rahmat Shah sends this upstairs. Ball Tracking shows that the ball kissed the side of the off-pole on umpire's call. The on-field decision was not out and it stays.