Afghanistan vs Bangladesh 2026: One-Off Test, Tri-Series ODI, Squads, Head to Head and Live Score

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh returns in October 2026 with 2 fixtures in the UAE. The first is a one-off Test from 9 to 13 October, reportedly in Abu Dhabi. The second is an ODI on 21 October as part of a tri-series with Zimbabwe. If both teams finish in the top 2 of that tri-series, they meet again in the final on 23 October.

Afghanistan is the home side. They play home matches in the UAE because they cannot host international cricket in Afghanistan.

The Test is not part of the World Test Championship. Afghanistan is not one of the 9 teams in the 2025-27 cycle.

Bangladesh have named their Test squad under Najmul Hossain Shanto. Afghanistan's squad is still awaited.

This page is updated with squads, venue details, start times and the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh live score once play begins.

Match Snapshot

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh 2026 Schedule

The ACB announced the schedule on 8 September 2026. The Test is first, followed by a 3-team ODI tri-series with Zimbabwe. Each team plays the other 2 once, and the top 2 meet in the final.

The AFG vs BAN match 2026 in the tri-series is the last group game. Its result could decide which 2 teams reach the final.

After the tri-series, Afghanistan stayed in the UAE to play Zimbabwe in 3 T20Is and 2 Tests. That run ends on 17 November.

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Live Score

The Afghanistan vs Bangladesh test match starts on 9 October 2026. Live scores, the toss result and session-by-session updates will appear here when play begins. The tri-series ODI on 21 October will be covered the same way.

• Current status: Not started. Bangladesh's squad is named, Afghanistan's squad is awaited, and the venue is reported but not confirmed.

Match Timings

Start times have not been confirmed. The UAE is on Gulf Standard Time (GST, UTC+4) and does not use daylight saving. Here is the time difference from other key regions:

Exact start times will be added here once they are announced.

UAE Conditions: Venue, Pitch and Weather

• Venue: An AFP report says the Test will be played in Abu Dhabi. The ACB's schedule lists the venue only as "UAE", and the tri-series grounds have not been named.
   
• Afghanistan knows Abu Dhabi well: They played Zimbabwe in 2 Tests there in March 2021, and the series ended 1-1. In the second of those Tests, Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 200 not out, the first Test double century by an Afghanistan player. Afghanistan also beat Bangladesh 3-0 in an ODI series in the UAE in October 2025.
   
• Pitch: Surfaces in the UAE are generally slow and low. Seamers can find some help early in a Test, and spin plays a bigger part as the match goes on. That suits both sides: Afghanistan rely heavily on spin, and Bangladesh's squad has 2 frontline spinners in Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam.
   
• Weather: Early October in the UAE is hot, and humid in the coastal cities. Rain is rare at this time of year. The heat is the main problem for bowlers across 5 days, so managing workloads and resting bowlers matters more than usual.

This section will be updated once the grounds are confirmed.

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Squads

Bangladesh Test Squad

Selection Notes:

• Taskin Ahmed is rested: Bangladesh wants him fully fit for their WTC Tests against West Indies.
   
• Nahid Rana is left out: He is only available from 10 October, a day after the Test starts.
   
• Towhid Hridoy is recalled after scoring 350 not out for Bangladesh A against South Africa A in Potchefstroom this month.
   
• Jaker Ali returns and Amite Hasan is dropped.

Afghanistan Test Squad

To be confirmed. Updated on announcement.

Tri-Series ODI Squads

To be confirmed for both teams. Updated on announcement.

Key Players to Watch

Afghanistan

1. Hashmatullah Shahidi: Afghanistan's Test captain and their leading Test batter. He averages 44.22 from 12 Tests, with a top score of 246.
    
2. Rahmat Shah: Afghanistan's top scorer in the June 2026 Test against India, with 73 runs.
    
3. Rashid Khan: He last played a Test in January 2025, and Afghanistan have regularly rested him from red-ball cricket since. Whether he plays is the biggest selection question for the Test.
    
4. Ibrahim Zadran: Player of the series when Afghanistan beat Bangladesh 3-0 in ODIs in October 2025, with 213 runs.

Bangladesh

1. Najmul Hossain Shanto: Scored 270 runs in the 2023 Test against Afghanistan, including a century in each innings.
    
2. Towhid Hridoy: Recalled to the Test side after his 350 not out for Bangladesh A.
    
3. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam: Bangladesh's spin pair, and the most important bowlers for them on UAE pitches.
    
4. Shoriful Islam: Took 7 for 48 in Australia's first innings during Bangladesh's Test series there in August. He was also Bangladesh's joint top wicket-taker in the 2023 Test against Afghanistan.

Captains and Team Management

• Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi has captained the Test side, including against India in June 2026, and is expected to continue. Richard Pybus has been head coach since February 2026, when he replaced Jonathan Trott.
   
• Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto captains the Test side and Mehidy Hasan Miraz the ODI side. Phil Simmons is head coach.

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Head to Head

The 2 sides are level in Tests and in ODIs. Bangladesh lead in T20Is.

Test record

The Afghanistan vs Bangladesh head to head two tests both ended in heavy defeats for the losing side:

• September 2019, Chattogram: Afghanistan won by 224 runs.
   
• June 2023, Mirpur: Bangladesh won by 546 runs. It was Bangladesh's biggest Test win by runs, and the biggest Test win by any team in terms of runs this century.

The 2026 Test is the first between the teams at a neutral venue.

ODI record

Afghanistan have been the stronger ODI side in recent years. They beat Bangladesh 2-1 in 2023 and 2024, and 3-0 in 2025.

Last 6 meetings (October 2025, UAE): Bangladesh won all 3 T20Is and Afghanistan won all 3 ODIs.

Recent Form

Afghanistan

• Tests: Lost to Zimbabwe in a one-off Test in October 2025, then lost the one-off Test to India in New Chandigarh in June 2026.
   
• ODIs: Lost 3-0 to India in June 2026.

Bangladesh

• Tests: Drew 1-1 in Australia in August 2026. It was their first Test series in Australia in 23 years, and included a 9-wicket win in Darwin.

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Test Match Preview

Bangladesh Start as Favourites for the Test: 

They have more Test experience, they are coming off a strong series in Australia, and they won the last meeting by 546 runs. Afghanistan have lost their last 2 Tests.

Afghanistan's chances rest on 2 things: conditions they know well, and whether Rashid Khan plays.

The Tri-series ODI is More Even: 

Afghanistan have won their last 3 ODI series against Bangladesh, including all 3 matches in the UAE last October.

This is editorial analysis based on form, conditions and squad news. It is not betting advice or a prediction of any outcome.

How to Watch

Broadcast and streaming partners for the AFG vs BAN Test match 2026 have not been announced. This section will be updated once they are confirmed.

Context: Why This Test Matters

No WTC Points:

This Test is not part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship, and Bangladesh's selectors have picked their squad with that in mind. They rested Taskin Ahmed to keep him fresh for their WTC Tests against West Indies, South Africa and England.

Afghanistan's Busiest Test Year:

This Test is Afghanistan's second of 2026. They will then play 2 more against Zimbabwe in November, taking them to 4 Tests in the year, their most in a calendar year.

The Decider:

Afghanistan won the first Test between the sides in 2019 and Bangladesh won the second in 2023. This third Test decides who leads the Test head to head.
 

FAQs

Q. When is the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Test match in 2026?
From 9 to 13 October 2026 in the UAE. 

Q. Is the AFG vs BAN Test match 2026 part of the World Test Championship?
No. Afghanistan is not one of the 9 teams in the 2025-27 WTC, so the Test carries no WTC points.

Q. Why is Afghanistan's home Test being played in the UAE?
Afghanistan cannot host international cricket in Afghanistan because of security and logistical problems. They have used the UAE as their home base for several years.

Q. When is the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh ODI in 2026?
On 21 October 2026, as the third match of the tri-series with Zimbabwe in the UAE.

Q. Can Afghanistan and Bangladesh meet in the tri-series final?
Yes, if both finish in the top 2 of the tri-series. The final is on 23 October 2026.

Q. What is the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh head to head record?
In 40 international matches, Bangladesh have won 21 and Afghanistan 19. Tests are level at 1-1, ODIs are level at 11-11, and Bangladesh lead the T20Is 9-7.

Q. What is the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Test record?
2 Tests, 1 win each. Afghanistan won by 224 runs in Chattogram in 2019, and Bangladesh won by 546 runs in Mirpur in 2023.

Q. Who won the last Afghanistan vs Bangladesh ODI series?
Afghanistan won 3-0 in the UAE in October 2025. Ibrahim Zadran was player of the series.

Q. What is the Bangladesh squad for the Afghanistan Test?
Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Tanzid Hasan, Shadman Islam, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain and Shoriful Islam.

Q. Has Afghanistan announced their squad?
Not yet. This page is updated as soon as the ACB names it.

Q. Why is Taskin Ahmed not playing?
Bangladesh have rested him so he is fully available for their WTC Tests against West Indies.

Q. Who are the captains?
Hashmatullah Shahidi is expected to lead Afghanistan, pending their squad announcement. Najmul Hossain Shanto captains Bangladesh.

Q. Who are the head coaches?
Richard Pybus coaches Afghanistan and Phil Simmons coaches Bangladesh.

Q. Where can I follow the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh live score?
On this page, with live updates from the toss on 9 October 2026.

Q. Where can I watch the AFG vs BAN match 2026?
Broadcasters have not been announced yet. This answer will be updated once they are.