October 8, 2025 gives cricket followers two televised fixtures. Afghanistan meets Bangladesh in the first of three ODIs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. Two hours earlier, Australia Women face Pakistan Women in a Women’s World Cup group match at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Each side wants early points in its tournament.

Match 1: Afghanistan v Bangladesh – 1st ODI

• Time (IST): 5:30 PM
• Venue – Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Last-match form

Bangladesh defeated Afghanistan during the recent Asia Cup. Their bowlers kept a tight line and the top four batsmen chased 129 with four wickets left. Afghanistan now return to the same UAE strip where their spinners average a wicket every 22 balls in day night games.

Afghanistan need runs from Nos. 4-7 and sharper singles rotation. Bangladesh look the steadier unit, yet their batsmen have never faced 50 overs on this slow surface.

Key players

• Afghanistan – opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, No. 3 Ibrahim Zadran, leg spinner Rashid Khan, all rounder Mohammad Nabi.
• Bangladesh – captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, wicket keeper Litton Das, left arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan, fast bowler Taskin Ahmed.

Outlook

The pitch offered 12 wickets to spin and only one fifty in the last domestic List-A game. Afghanistan will open with Rashid in the tenth over – Bangladesh will give Taskin the new ball under floodlights. The side that strings two 60-run stands is expected to go 1-0 up.

Match 2: Australia Women vs Pakistan Women – ICC Women’s World Cup

• Time (IST): 3:00 PM
• Venue – R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Last Match Performance

Australia Women have won every game so far. Their batters have posted large totals and their bowlers have taken early wickets and defended scores with few extras.
Pakistan Women have produced one strong individual innings plus one three wicket spell in separate games, yet lost both. Their last match ended six wickets down with three overs left and the run rate still climbing.

Key Players to Watch

• Australia Women – Alyssa Healy opens and keeps, Ellyse Perry bats at three but also bowls first change, Meg Lanning captains at four. Ashleigh Gardner bowls off spin in the middle overs besides Megan Schutt takes the new ball.
• Pakistan Women – Nida Dar hits in the lower middle order and bowls off spin, Bismah Maroof anchors at three, Muneeba Ali keeps and opens. Diana Baig bowls outswing with the new ball.

What to Expect

Australia will bat first if they win the toss as well as aim for 280. Pakistan will open with spin from both ends if the pitch is dry. Australia’s inner ring saves singles – Pakistan needs direct hits to create run outs. A win for Pakistan would lift them to fourth place – a win for Australia would secure a semi final spot.

Conclusion

On 8 October 2025 Afghanistan meet Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi for the third ODI of their series and at the same time Australia Women face Pakistan Women in Colombo. The first game hinges on which set of spinners bowls fuller. The second hinges on whether Pakistan’s top four can survive Schutt’s opening spell.

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