Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, One-Off Test 2026: Match Preview
Overview
Afghanistan and Bangladesh are set to lock horns in a one-off Test match on October 9, 2026, at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The fixture forms part of the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh in UAE 2026 series and is the only Test between the two sides this season.
The match is scheduled to run from October 9 to 13, 2026, with play commencing at 9:30 AM local UAE time (10:00 AM AFT, 11:00 AM IST).
Head-to-Head Record
Both teams have faced each other in just two Test matches so far, making this a closely contested rivalry with no clear dominance:
- First meeting: Afghanistan won by 224 runs
- Second meeting: Bangladesh claimed a commanding victory by 546 runs
The stark contrast in these results highlights the unpredictability of this encounter, with both teams having produced dominant performances on different occasions.
Team News
Afghanistan
Afghanistan arrive with a strong-looking squad featuring a blend of experienced campaigners and exciting young talent:
- Key players: Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah, Khalil Gurbaz, Qais Ahmad, and Rahmanullah Zadran
- Bowling options: Shahidullah Kamal, Ismat Alam, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, and Mohammad Saleem Safi
The side boasts a potent spin battery and powerful batting, which could prove crucial on the Abu Dhabi surface.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh have received a significant boost with Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto set to join the squad in the UAE. The team's Test players are already in the region preparing for the match, having completed a two-day practice game.
Bangladesh Squad:
- Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Jaker Ali Anik, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Tanzid Hasan (Tamim), Mominul Haque, Shadman Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Soumya Sarkar, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed
Notably, Jaker Ali has been recalled to the Test side, with former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar weighing in on his return.
Where to Watch Live
Fans worldwide can follow the action across various platforms:
| Region | TV Broadcast | Live Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN Sports | ATN, Etisalat |
| Bangladesh | T Sports | Tapmad |
| India | – | FanCode |
| Pakistan | A Sports HD | Tamasha |
| Australia | Fox Sports | Fox Sports |
| Sri Lanka | PEO TV, Dialog TV | PEO TV, Dialog |
| North America | Willow TV | Willow |
| MENA & SEA | Cricbuzz | Cricbuzz |
| Europe, Africa & ROW | – | Sports Central |
Live score updates and ball-by-ball commentary will be available on the Mr Cricket UAE app and website.
What to Expect
The Abu Dhabi pitch is generally expected to offer assistance to spinners as the match progresses, which could give Afghanistan an edge with their strong bowling attack. However, Bangladesh's well-rounded squad and the return of captain Najmul Hossain Shanto make them a formidable opponent.
With both teams having won a Test against each other, this one-off encounter promises to be an intriguing contest between two of Asia's rising cricketing nations.
Stay tuned for full coverage as the match unfolds from the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
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