Zimbabwe will feature in next month's Twenty20 international tri-series in Pakistan after Afghanistan withdrew over political tension with the host country, officials said Saturday.

That's what makes the Abu Dhabi fixture one of those rare moments multi-nation tournaments produce. Two sides fighting for survival, while a third watches nervously from afar.

Bangladesh won by eight runs.

Coming into the tournament, Liton Das and his side looked confident, showing signs of stability. Yet after a heavy defeat to Sri Lanka, the atmosphere has turned tense.

Once underdogs, Afghanistan now stride into the Asia Cup with fire in their belly and eyes on the prize. Explosive openers, a lethal spin arsenal, and a squad that thrives under pressure make them a team ready to shake up Asia’s cricketing heavyweights.

Afghanistan are drawn alongside Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong in Group B of the Asia Cup.

Having shocked the world in last year’s ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Jonathan Trott’s side are now just one win away from reaching the final four yet again.

Afghanistan is set to face England in Lahore on Wednesday in their second group-stage match of the Champions Trophy, marking their debut in the tournament.

Afghanistan open their Group B campaign in the Champions Trophy against South Africa in Karachi on Friday.

Ghazanfar will miss the eight-team event held in Pakistan and the UAE in what is a blow to Afghanistan's spin department that is already missing experienced spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Afghanistan's exiled women cricketers will be the first beneficiaries of a new refugee fund started by the Marylebone Cricket Club, the MCC said on Friday.

England and South Africa have been urged to boycott next month's Champions Trophy matches against Afghanistan, whose maiden appearance in the men's 50-overs tournament as one of the world's top eight teams is a testament to their growth in recent years.

Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead Afghanistan in their maiden ICC Men's Champions Trophy campaign as the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed the 15-player squad on Sunday.

England and South Africa share the same group with Afghanistan in the One Day International competition and are under pressure to boycott the fixtures in response to the Taliban government’s crackdown on women's rights since returning to power in August 2021.

Khan, who represented Pakistan across 265 ODIs, 118 Test matches, and led them to a historic Men's T20 World Cup triumph in 2009, amassed over 17,000 runs across formats. He still holds the record for most Test hundreds by a Pakistan batter (34).

The 26-year-old missed Afghanistan's most recent Test matches on medical advice to heal a back injury for which he underwent surgery earlier this year.

Both cricketers took to X to urge the Taliban to reconsider their stance and restore Afghan girls' right to education, enabling them to contribute to the nation’s development.

“Playing against Bangladesh has always been challenging and full of joy. I believe the group of players selected for this series will perform exceptionally well and bring more glory to our nation,” said ACB CEO Naseeb Khan.

South Africa avoided their lowest ever score in an ODI but Afghan batters enjoyed a comfortable chase.

Afghanistan's cricket board said on Wednesday it had banned former top-order international batter Ihsanullah Janat for five years after he admitted to "corrupt activities" in a domestic league.