Afghanistan v Bangladesh, tri‑series third ODI live: Afghanistan dominate as Bangladesh reach 50

Afghanistan and Bangladesh were engaged in the tri-series third ODI on October 21, 2026, with live updates showing Afghanistan in control of the early stages and a drinks break interrupting Bangladesh's chase.

Bangladesh's top order had been significantly disrupted, with the visitors reduced to 38/4 in the Powerplay after Omarzai and Yamin Ahmadzai made early inroads by getting the ball to move and troubling the batters. Saif Hassan and Parvez Hossain Emon were at the crease trying to rebuild while Rahmanullah Gurbaz was involved in a vociferous appeal to the umpires. Rashid Khan was introduced into the attack for the first time and was noted in the live coverage as having an excellent record against Bangladesh, especially in ODIs. AM Ghazanfar later replaced Yamin Ahmadzai in the bowling rotation.

A contentious LBW review against Saif Hassan was initiated by Afghanistan after the on-field umpire turned down a loud appeal; Rahmat Shah reviewed, the third umpire checked UltraEdge and the replay showed a large inside-edge, leaving the review unsuccessful and the decision Not Out. Rashid Khan bowled a sequence of variations — including googlies and flatter deliveries — that repeatedly troubled Hassan, producing inside edges and deliveries that beat the bat. The live commentary recorded Hassan playing late and getting beaten by Rashid's slower, turning and flatter balls at different points in the over.

AM Ghazanfar's introduction to the attack produced a mix of flighted and shorter deliveries; he produced a carrom-ball which the coverage described as a jaffa that missed Saif Hassan's outside edge and several floated balls that were worked into gaps for singles. Ghazanfar was reported to have bowled a delivery sliding down the leg side judged a wide and to have set a rhythm of flight and drift aimed at the stumps. The live updates noted Ghazanfar would continue after the break.

Bilal Sami's spell included back-of-a-length seam work and a short ball that Parvez Hossain Emon miscued when attempting to pull, narrowly avoiding a catch in front of short mid-wicket. Sami also conceded a wide from a dug-in short ball; later in his over Emon hooked a short, angled delivery over long leg for six, after which the live blog stated, "That's been a long time coming, and the 50 is finally up for Bangladesh." The coverage recorded a near run-out when a fielder's return nearly ran out Emon but the throw missed the stumps.

Fielding lapses were noted when Hashmatullah Shahidi fumbled a chance at cover-point, allowing a single, and other misfields were described as being well backed up despite the mistakes. The live commentary included a Drinks Break message: "It's been complete dominance by Afghanistan so far. Omarzai and Ahmadzai got the ball moving early on and absolutely crushed the Bangladeshi top order." It advised Bangladesh to prioritise strike rotation to rebuild and said Afghanistan would want their second line of attack to keep pressure by taking regular wickets.

AM Ghazanfar was scheduled to bowl on resumption after the break, with Afghanistan aiming to sustain their bowling pressure and Bangladesh needing to repair the innings after the early collapse and the team reaching 50 during the middle overs.