Afghanistan will face Bangladesh in the one-off Test at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi from Friday, October 9, 2026. They have another chance to build momentum in red-ball cricket after their heavy defeat against India earlier this year.
Bangladesh have won five of their last seven matches, including victories over Australia and Pakistan. They drew their recent series against Australia after a memorable win in Darwin and will look to continue their strong run in the longest format.
Afghanistan won their first meeting by 224 runs in Chattogram in 2019, with Rashid Khan taking five-wicket hauls in both innings. Bangladesh responded with a 546-run win in Dhaka in 2023, with Najmul Hossain Shanto scoring centuries in both innings.
Afghanistan have played very little Test cricket in the last two years. Rahmat Shah will lead the side, which has made several changes to its spin options, while Bangladesh will rely on its greater experience and recent form.
Afghanistan face a tough task after their heavy defeat against India in their only Test earlier in 2026. Shahidullah Kamal will also play an important role after scoring 538 runs in eight innings at the Ahmad Shah Abdali first-class tournament.
Afghanistan have dropped left-arm spinners Sharafuddin Ashraf and Nangeyalia Kharote from the squad. They have retained wrist-spinner Qais Ahmad and added Khalil Gurbaz, while left-arm spinner Zia-ur-Rehman has returned after more than a year.
Hasan Mahmud played a key role in Bangladesh’s Darwin Test win against Australia and has continued his good form during his County Championship stint with Kent. Towhid Hridoy also adds confidence after scoring an unbeaten 352 for Bangladesh A against South Africa A in Potchefstroom.
However, Litton Das will be under pressure after scoring only two runs in five innings across international formats. Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Mushfiqur Rahim will provide experience in the middle order.
AFG vs BAN Live Streaming, Live Telecast: Where To Watch 1st Test?
Cricket fans in India will not have a live television broadcast for the one-off Test between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The match will be available for live streaming on the FanCode app and website.
The Test at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi will begin at 11:30 AM IST (10:00 AM local time) on October 9, with play scheduled to start at the same time on each day of the match.
The pitch at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi usually offers a balanced contest between bat and ball. The first two days are generally better for batting, with a good surface and fast outfield allowing batters to play their shots.
Fast bowlers may get some early assistance from the morning moisture, but movement can reduce once the surface dries. As the Test progresses, the pitch can deteriorate, with dry footmarks and variable bounce bringing spinners into the game.
The venue has historically favoured teams batting first, with an average first-innings score of 360 runs. The fourth innings has the lowest average at 136. The captain winning the toss is therefore likely to bat first.
Total Matches: 15
Matches Won Batting First: 9
Matches Won Bowling First: 2
Average 1st Innings Score: 360
Average 2nd Innings Score: 341
Average 3rd Innings Score: 274
Average 4th Innings Score: 136
Highest Total: 598/9 (England vs Pakistan)
Lowest Total: 72 (England vs Pakistan)
Highest Score Chased: 108/4 (Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe)
Lowest Score Defended: 114 (Pakistan vs Sri Lanka)
Highest Individual Score: 278* (AB de Villiers, South Africa vs Pakistan, 2010)
Best Bowling in an Innings: 7/137 (Rashid Khan, Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, 2021)
Best Bowling in a Match: 11/136 (Rangana Herath, Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2017)
AFG vs BAN Weather Forecast & Heat Factor at Zayed Cricket Stadium
The weather forecast for Abu Dhabi points to mostly sunny and very hot conditions throughout the five-day Test. Temperatures are expected to reach around 37°C on the opening day, with the daytime heat remaining intense across the match.
There is almost no chance of rain during the Test, with AccuWeather showing a 0% rain probability for October 9 to 12 and just 1% on October 13. The heat could test the fast bowlers, especially during long spells.
Afghanistan have named a 15-member squad for the one-off Test, with Rashid Khan and Ibrahim Zadran rested from Test cricket on medical advice. Sharafuddin Ashraf and Nangeyalia Kharote have been left out, while Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar and Khalil Gurbaz have been added.
Bangladesh have recalled Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali Anik after their strong performances for Bangladesh A against South Africa A. Hridoy scored an unbeaten 350, while Jaker made 94. Taskin Ahmed has been left out, with Amite Hasan also dropped from the 15-member squad.
AFG vs BAN Predicted Playing 11 Today
Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI: Rahmat Shah (c), Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ikram Alikhail, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Zia Ur Rahman Akbar, Afsar Zazai (wk), Qais Ahmad, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Yamin Ahmadzai.
Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam.
AFG vs BAN Key Player Battles to Watch
Sediqullah Atal vs Hasan Mahmud:
Sediqullah Atal will face a tough challenge against Bangladesh’s pace attack with the new ball. Hasan Mahmud comes into the Test in good form after strong performances in the Darwin Test and his county stint with Kent.
Rahmat Shah vs Taijul Islam:
Rahmat Shah will anchor Afghanistan’s batting and will have to handle Bangladesh’s main spin threat. Taijul Islam has taken 35 wickets in the last 12 months and could become more effective as the Abu Dhabi surface deteriorates.
Najmul Hossain Shanto vs Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi:
Najmul Hossain Shanto scored centuries in both innings of Bangladesh’s 2023 Test against Afghanistan. Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, who has taken eight wickets in his last two matches at an average of 23.50, will look to challenge the Bangladesh captain.
AFG vs BAN Key Players to Watch
Afghanistan: Rahmat Shah, Qais Ahmad, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi
Bangladesh: Mominul Haque, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud
Also read: Naveen-ul-Haq, who fought Virat Kohli, becomes commentator for AFG vs BAN Test
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