Afghanistan thrash Zimbabwe in final to crown themselves ODI Tri-Series champions

Afghanistan thrashed Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the final to win the ODI Tri-Series trophy in Sharjah, UAE. The Afghan team delivered a strong all-round performance, bowling Zimbabwe out for 169 runs in 43.3 overs before chasing down the target comfortably in 34.3 overs. Afghanistan also finished the tournament unbeaten, showing their consistency with both bat and ball.

Rashid Khan led the bowling attack with three wickets, while Mohammad Nabi, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Bilal Sami picked up two wickets each. Zimbabwe struggled to build partnerships, but Sikandar Raza top-scored with 68 runs. Afghanistan's bowlers kept the pressure on and restricted Zimbabwe to a below-par total in the final.

During the chase, Ibrahim Zadran anchored the innings with an unbeaten 70 off 96 balls. Rahmanullah Gurbaz contributed 36 runs, while Rahmat Shah added 43 to help Afghanistan reach the target with seven wickets in hand. The victory completed Afghanistan's unbeaten run in the tri-series and confirmed their dominance throughout the tournament.

Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 7 wickets to win the ODI Tri-Series final in Sharjah

Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets to win the ODI Tri-Series final in Sharjah. The Afghan team delivered a strong performance with both bat and ball to lift the trophy. They bowled Zimbabwe out for 169 runs in 43.3 overs before chasing down the target in 34.3 overs.

Ibrahim Zadran played a key role in the chase, scoring an unbeaten 70 to guide Afghanistan towards victory. He stayed at the crease and helped his team maintain control of the innings. Afghanistan's batters handled the chase well and kept the pressure on Zimbabwe.

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Hashmatullah Shahidi hit the winning boundary in the 35th over to seal the seven-wicket victory. The win capped Afghanistan's strong campaign in the ODI Tri-Series, as they finished the tournament unbeaten and lifted the trophy after an impressive all-round performance.

Rashid Khan, Ibrahim Zadran and Sikandar Raza: Key performances in the final

Rashid Khan led Afghanistan’s bowling attack in the ODI Tri-Series final against Zimbabwe, taking three wickets for 41 runs. According to ESPNcricinfo, he became the second bowler in ODI history to take three or more wickets in six consecutive innings. Fazalhaq Farooqi, Bilal Sami and Mohammad Nabi also played key roles, taking two wickets each to bowl Zimbabwe out for 169 runs.

Despite Zimbabwe’s defeat, captain Sikandar Raza put up a strong fight with 68 runs off 83 balls, including three fours and three sixes. He became the first batter aged 40 or above to score a half-century in an ODI tournament final. Ryan Burl also contributed 31 runs and shared a 60-run partnership with Raza, but their efforts were not enough to stop Afghanistan’s bowlers.

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With the bat, Ibrahim Zadran played a match-winning innings, scoring an unbeaten 70 off 96 balls to guide Afghanistan to victory. Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 36 runs, while Rahmat Shah added 43 to help build the chase. Zadran and Shah shared an 82-run partnership for the third wicket, allowing Afghanistan to reach the target in 34.3 overs and win the final by seven wickets.

What the Tri-Series title means for Afghanistan ahead of the 2027 World Cup

Afghanistan’s ODI Tri-Series title is a positive sign for the team as they prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup. They were the most consistent side in the tournament, defeating both Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in the league stage before beating Zimbabwe again in the final. Their unbeaten run showed their ability to perform well with both bat and ball.

The tournament also highlighted Afghanistan’s strong bowling attack and reliable batting lineup. Rashid Khan led the bowlers with important wickets, while Ibrahim Zadran played a key role with the bat in the final. These performances will give the team confidence as they continue preparing for bigger challenges ahead.

However, Afghanistan will need to maintain this form against stronger teams in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup. The tri-series victory provides valuable momentum, but consistency across different conditions will remain important. If their key players continue to perform and the team maintains its balance, Afghanistan could be a competitive side at the tournament.