Bangladesh return to one-day international cricket on Saturday, 17 October 2026, when they face Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi in the opening match of an ODI tri-series that also features Afghanistan. The three teams play each other once, and the top two meet in the final on 23 October at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. The tournament comes straight after the one-off Test between Afghanistan and Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi, which ended in a draw.
Tri-series at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Teams | Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe |
| Format | ODI, single round-robin (each team plays twice), then a final between the top two |
| Dates | 17 to 23 October 2026 |
| Venue | Abu Dhabi (final at the Zayed Cricket Stadium) |
| Start time | 5pm local time: 7pm in Bangladesh, 6:30pm in India, 2pm in the UK |
| Captains | Litton Das (Bangladesh), Rahmat Shah (Afghanistan), Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) |
Full schedule
| Match | Date | Fixture | Bangladesh time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | 17 October | Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe | 7pm |
| 2nd ODI | 19 October | Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe | 7pm |
| 3rd ODI | 21 October | Afghanistan vs Bangladesh | 7pm |
| Final | 23 October | Top two teams | 7pm |
Bangladesh open the tournament and then sit out the second match, so they will know exactly what they need before their last group game against Afghanistan on 21 October.
Squads
Bangladesh
Litton Das (captain, wicketkeeper), Towhid Hridoy (vice-captain), Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nurul Hasan (wicketkeeper), Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Aliss Al Islam.
Afghanistan
Rahmat Shah (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (vice-captain, wicketkeeper), Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, AM Ghazanfar, Bilal Sami, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Yamin Ahmadzai. Travelling reserve: Qais Ahmad.
Zimbabwe
Sikandar Raza (captain), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brendan Taylor (wicketkeeper), Brian Bennett, Craig Ervine, Ernest Masuku, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wicketkeeper), Tafadzwa Tsiga, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere.
Bangladesh: Litton back in charge
Litton Das returns as ODI captain, taking over from Mehidy Hasan Miraz. According to Wisden, the team management wants Mehidy to concentrate on his all-round game. Towhid Hridoy is the vice-captain. Litton arrives in form: he was Player of the Match in the Abu Dhabi Test with 53 and 102, plus nine dismissals behind the stumps.
- New face: Aliss Al Islam, 29, earns a maiden ODI call-up.
- Return: Hasan Mahmud is back in the ODI squad after taking 5 for 55 in Afghanistan’s first innings of the Test.
- Missing: fast bowler Nahid Rana, who is still recovering from a side strain.
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe
Afghanistan come in on the back of a 4-0 ODI series win over Ireland in August. Rashid Khan and Ibrahim Zadran, rested for the Test, return to the side under Rahmat Shah, who also led the team in the Test.
Zimbabwe, led by Sikandar Raza, hosted Australia for a three-match ODI series in September. Left-arm seamer Richard Ngarava misses out with a back injury, while the experienced Brendan Taylor is part of the squad.
Where to watch
| Country / region | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Bangladesh | T Sports (TV), Tapmad (streaming) |
| India | FanCode |
| Afghanistan | Ariana TV, Etisalat app |
| Pakistan | A Sports (TV), Tamasha (streaming) |
| Sri Lanka | PEO TV, Dialog |
| South Africa and Zimbabwe | SuperSport |
| North America | Willow TV |
Broadcast listings as published by Wisden before the series. Check your local provider before the match.
FAQ
When does the Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe ODI start?
On 17 October 2026 at 5pm local time in Abu Dhabi, which is 7pm in Bangladesh.
Who is Bangladesh’s ODI captain?
Litton Das, with Towhid Hridoy as vice-captain.
When is the final?
On 23 October 2026 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, between the two best teams of the group stage.
Also read: Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Test in Abu Dhabi ends in a draw.
Sources: Bangladesh Cricket Board squad announcement (via Dhaka Tribune and ICC), Wisden series guide, ESPNcricinfo scorecard of the Abu Dhabi Test.
