The AFG vs BAN One-off Test Match begins on Friday, October 9, at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Rahmat Shah will lead Afghanistan, while Najmul Hossain Shanto will captain Bangladesh.
Afghanistan will be without Rashid Khan, their key all- rounder, while Bangladesh will miss Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana.
Let us quickly have a look at the match details, pitch report, squads, expected XIs, key matchups, live streaming details, prediction, and much more.
Match Details at a Glance
Here are some key details to know before reading the complete match preview and prediction:
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, One-off Test 2026 |
| Date | October 9–13, 2026 |
| Start Time | 11:30 AM IST |
| UTC Time | 06:00 UTC |
| UAE Local Time | 10:00 AM |
| Venue | Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Afghanistan Captain | Rahmat Shah |
| Bangladesh Captain | Najmul Hossain Shanto |
| Live Streaming in India | FanCode |
| TV Telecast in India | No TV telecast |
AFG vs BAN One-off Test Match: Pitch Report And Weather Forecast
The Afghanistan vs Bangladesh One-off Test Match will be played at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The venue has hosted several Test matches and generally rewards teams that build a strong first-innings total.
Now, read on to know important details on Pitch and Weather Report:
Pitch Report
The Abu Dhabi surface can provide useful batting conditions during the early stages. Batters who spend time at the crease should find opportunities to score, particularly when the ball loses its hardness.
The surface can become slower as the Test progresses, which brings the spinners into the contest. That could make Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam important for Bangladesh, while Qais Ahmad and Zia-ur-Rehman could carry Afghanistan’s main spin threat.
The first innings should therefore carry considerable importance. A team that reaches a strong total can put pressure on the opposition once the surface becomes slower and harder to score on.
Weather Forecast & Toss Impact
Abu Dhabi is expected to have clear and sunny skies throughout the Test, with temperatures reaching 38°C. Humidity should range between 35% and 50%, while the chance of rain remains at 0%.
The heat could make long bowling spells demanding, especially during the afternoon sessions. Captains may consider batting first if the pitch offers its best conditions early in the match.
As the Test progresses, the worn surface could make fourth-innings batting more difficult. Spinners may also become more influential, while fast bowlers could need shorter spells to manage the heat.
AFG vs BAN Head-to-Head Record In Test
Afghanistan and Bangladesh have met twice in men’s Test cricket. Afghanistan won their first encounter in 2019, while Bangladesh recorded a huge 546-run victory in their next meeting in 2023.
Here is the Test head-to-head record between Afghanistan and Bangladesh:
| Head-to-Head | Afghanistan | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| Tests Played | 2 | 2 |
| Wins | 1 | 1 |
| Losses | 1 | 1 |
| Draws | 0 | 0 |
AFG vs BAN One-off Test Match: Team News & Full Squads
Afghanistan and Bangladesh have named 15-player squads for the Abu Dhabi Test. Both teams will miss some key players, but their squads still feature enough quality to make an impact in the match.
Here are the complete squads of both the teams:
Afghanistan Full Squad
Afghanistan: Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Rahmanullah, Rahmat Shah (c), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Shahidullah Kamal, Afsar Zazai (wk), Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Khalil Gurbaz, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Ikram Alikhil, Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar, Yamin Ahmadzai.
Team News: Star bowler Rashid Khan and opener Ibrahim Zadran are both rested following medical assessments. Left-arm spinner Zia-ur-Rehman returns after a long injury layoff.
Bangladesh Full Squad
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Towhid Hridoy, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Jaker Ali, Shadman Islam.
Team News: Pace bowler Taskin Ahmed is rested, while Nahid Rana misses the Test due to injury. Their absence leaves Hasan Mahmud with greater responsibility in the pace attack, alongside Bangladesh’s experienced spin options like Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam.
AFG vs BAN One-off Test Match: Expected Playing XIs
The expected XIs give Afghanistan a balanced attack with Qais Ahmad and Zia-ur-Rehman handling spin. Bangladesh could pair Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam, with Hasan Mahmud leading the pace attack. Final selections will depend on the pitch at the toss.
Here are the predicted playing XIs for the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh One-off Test Match 2026:
| Afghanistan | Bangladesh |
|---|---|
| Sediqullah Atal | Tanzid Hasan Tamim |
| Abdul Malik | Shadman Islam |
| Rahmanullah | Mominul Haque |
| Rahmat Shah (c) | Najmul Hossain Shanto (c) |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi | Mushfiqur Rahim |
| Shahidullah Kamal | Litton Das (wk) |
| Afsar Zazai (wk) | Mehidy Hasan Miraz |
| Ismat Alam | Towhid Hridoy |
| Qais Ahmad | Taijul Islam |
| Zia-ur-Rehman | Hasan Mahmud |
| Yamin Ahmadzai | Shoriful Islam |
How and Where to Watch AFG vs BAN One-off Test Match 2026 Live in India
You can watch the AFG vs BAN One-off Test Match 2026 live in India on FanCode, which will stream the match through its app and website. You need a match pass or tour pass to access the live coverage.
Since no traditional TV channel will broadcast the Test in India, FanCode will provide the main live viewing option for Indian fans throughout the five-day match.
In North America, you can watch the match on Amazon Prime Video with a Willow TV subscription. Fans elsewhere can check their regional sports networks and official digital platforms for coverage.
AFG vs BAN One-off Test Match: Winner Prediction
I expect a competitive contest in Abu Dhabi, with Bangladesh holding a slight edge over Afghanistan.
Afghanistan have quality in Rahmat Shah, Qais Ahmad and Zia-ur-Rehman. Their bowling attack can make an impact if the pitch offers assistance to the spinners.
Bangladesh, though, have greater Test experience and more depth in their batting lineup. That balance gives them an advantage across five days, making Bangladesh my pick to win the AFG vs BAN One-off Test Match.
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FAQS
Afghanistan’s highest Test innings total is 545/4, scored against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi in March 2021.
Hashmatullah Shahidi has Afghanistan’s highest individual Test score with 200* against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi (March 2021).
You can watch the AFG vs BAN One-off Test live on FanCode in India through its app and website.
Rashid Khan is rested for the Test following medical assessments to manage his workload, leaving Afghanistan without their premier spin option.
Afghanistan and Bangladesh have played two Tests, with both teams winning once. The record stands tied at 1–1.
The Abu Dhabi pitch should offer good batting conditions early before becoming slower and more helpful for spinners from Day 3.
Bangladesh holds a slight edge due to deeper red-ball experience, though Afghanistan remains competitive given their familiarity with UAE conditions.
