Afghanistan and Bangladesh meet in a one-off Test at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, from 9 to 13 October 2026. Play starts at 11:30 AM IST (10:00 AM local). Bangladesh come in as favourites after their Test win in Darwin in August, while Afghanistan start a new chapter under captain Rahmat Shah after a heavy defeat in India.
It is the third Test between the two sides, and the first for Bangladesh at a neutral venue and in the UAE. The match is live on CricketDream: build a free Fantasy XI, run a draft with friends or call the result in a free Predictor game.
AFG vs BAN Test: schedule and timings
Afghanistan Test squad: Rahmat Shah (c)
Rahmat Shah replaced Hashmatullah Shahidi as captain after the Test defeat in India, and is Afghanistan's only batter with 1000 Test runs and three centuries. Selectors have gone for wristspin: legspinners Qais Ahmad and Khalil Gurbaz are in, left-arm spinner Zia-ur-Rehman returns after more than a year, and Ismat Alam is the pace-bowling allrounder. Ikram Alikhil is vice-captain.
Bangladesh Test squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c)
Bangladesh named a 15-man squad led by Najmul Hossain Shanto. Towhid Hridoy is recalled after an unbeaten 352 for Bangladesh A against South Africa A in Potchefstroom, a Bangladeshi record in first-class cricket. Taskin Ahmed and Amite Hasan are left out. Nayeem Hasan, Musfik Hasan and Iqbal Hossain Emon travel as reserves.
Pitch and conditions in Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi surface has generally played slow, and the temperature can climb close to 40 degrees in the day. Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons said the pitch looks good, perhaps a little slow, and that his batters expect to face plenty of spin. Over five days that points towards spinners gaining value as the match goes on. Afghanistan's last Test at this ground was a six-wicket win over Zimbabwe in 2021.
Probable XIs
- Afghanistan: Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah (c), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Shahidullah Kamal, Afsar Zazai (wk), Ismat Alam, Qais Ahmad, Ziaur Rahman or Mohammad Saleem, Khalil Gurbaz.
- Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar or Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam and a third seamer or spinner. Hridoy's inclusion would mean reshuffling the middle order.
- These are expectations, not confirmed XIs. Both sides announce at the toss, so check the match page before you lock.
Best fantasy picks for AFG vs BAN
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz (BAN, AR): off-spin and lower-order runs on a slow pitch. The strongest captain option.
- Rahmat Shah (AFG, BAT): the one Afghan batter who has done it for years in Tests, and now captain. A natural vice-captain.
- Najmul Hossain Shanto (BAN, BAT): settled in the middle order and Bangladesh's most successful Test captain.
- Taijul Islam (BAN, BOWL): Bangladesh's most experienced Test spinner and a near-certain starter.
- Hasan Mahmud (BAN, BOWL): in form after Darwin and a county spell with Kent.
- Qais Ahmad (AFG, BOWL): wristspinner expected to bowl a heavy workload.
- Differential: Towhid Hridoy (BAN, BAT) is in record form, but only if he makes the XI.
- Be careful with Litton Das: two runs in his last five innings across formats.
Tests are long games and you pick one XI for the whole match. Favour players who earn points in both innings, which is why allrounders and spinners get extra weight on this surface.
Suggested Fantasy XI
- Wicketkeeper: Mushfiqur Rahim (swap for the keeper who plays)
- Batters: Rahmat Shah (VC), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan
- Allrounders: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (C), Ismat Alam
- Bowlers: Hasan Mahmud, Taijul Islam, Qais Ahmad, Shoriful Islam
AFG vs BAN prediction
Bangladesh are favourites on form and depth. Afghanistan's batting is their concern after the India defeat, but a slow pitch and a spin-heavy attack can make this competitive, and a draw is possible over five days. Make your own call in a free CricketDream Predictor game once the toss is done.
Play free on CricketDream
Every CricketDream game is free, with no entry fee and no prize pool. Pick 11 players within the credit budget, choose a captain (2x points) and vice-captain (1.5x points), and your score updates live during the match.
Build your free Fantasy XI for the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Test.
Build Fantasy XIFrequently asked questions
When is the Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Test?
It runs from 9 to 13 October 2026, starting at 11:30 AM IST (10:00 AM local time in Abu Dhabi) each day.
Where is the AFG vs BAN Test being played?
At the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. It is a neutral venue for Bangladesh and their first Test in the UAE.
Who captains Afghanistan and Bangladesh?
Rahmat Shah captains Afghanistan, with Ikram Alikhil as vice-captain. Najmul Hossain Shanto captains Bangladesh.
Who is the best captain pick for AFG vs BAN fantasy?
Mehidy Hasan Miraz is the safest choice because he earns points with bat and ball. Rahmat Shah and Najmul Hossain Shanto are the top batting options.
What else is on this tour?
After the Test, Afghanistan and Bangladesh play in the UAE ODI Tri-Series with Zimbabwe, which starts on 17 October in Abu Dhabi. It is live on CricketDream as its own series.
Is CricketDream fantasy free to play?
Yes. Fantasy XI, Draft, Multi-Draft, Predictor, Cricket Quiz and CricketQuest are all completely free, with no entry fees and no cash prizes.