Spin Twins Strike Again: Rahmat and Rashid Seal Final Spot, Eliminate Bangladesh

Result: Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh by 7 wickets (with 87 balls remaining) at Sharjah, securing their fifth consecutive ODI win against Bangladesh.

The Stakes: With this comprehensive defeat, Bangladesh were eliminated from the tri-series, while Afghanistan booked their place in the final to face Zimbabwe.

Bangladesh Innings: 160 All Out (41.2 Overs)

Top-Order Collapse: Afghanistan's new-ball bowlers dismantled Bangladesh early. Yamin Ahmadzai struck twice in the second over (removing Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar for ducks), while Azmatullah Omarzai accounted for Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy. Bangladesh slumped to 28 for 4 in the 7th over.

The Resistance: Parvez Hossain Emon (brought in to replace injured captain Litton Das) played a lone hand, anchoring the innings with a patient 70 off 96 balls. He combined with Saif Hassan (41) for a vital 93-run fifth-wicket partnership to push past the worst of the collapse.

Rashid Khan's Magic Spell: Once the partnership was broken, Rashid Khan ran through the lower order with a brilliant spell of 4 for 31 in 8.2 overs. Bangladesh were eventually bundled out for a modest 160 in 41.2 overs.

Bowling Figures: Rashid Khan (4-31), Yamin Ahmadzai (2-21), and Azmatullah Omarzai (2-27) did the major damage for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Chase: 161 for 3 (35.3 Overs)

Early Hiccups: Taskin Ahmed provided some early hope for Bangladesh by removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz and clean-bowling Sediqullah Atal, leaving Afghanistan at 39 for 2. The Steadying Partnership: Captain Rahmat Shah and Ibrahim Zadran (34) steadied the ship with a 56-run stand before Zadran fell to Mustafizur Rahman.

Finishing Touch: Rahmat Shah anchored the innings brilliantly alongside Hashmatullah Shahidi. Rahmat remained unbeaten on 67 off 90 balls, while Shahidi contributed a steady 36 not out. Their unbroken 66-run fourth-wicket partnership smoothly sealed the chase in 35.3 overs.