5 October 2025 gives cricket followers two full fixtures. The first is a T20 International between Afghanistan besides Bangladesh at Sharjah – the winner takes the series. The second sends India Women against Pakistan Women in Colombo for the ICC Women’s World Cup. Rankings and regional pride ride on both results.

Match 1: Afghanistan vs Bangladesh (T20I)

Venue & Timing

• Venue – Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE
• Time (IST): 8:00 PM

Last Match Performance

The teams arrive at the third and final game after split results. Bangladesh bowlers kept the run rate low, yet the batting order wobbled in both innings. Afghanistan turned to spin and to hard hitting middle-order batters – they almost overhauled the target in game two, but Bangladesh held on by four runs. The series now stands 1-1.

Players to Watch

Afghanistan

Rashid Khan bowls leg breaks that take wickets in the middle and at the death. Mohammad Nabi offers control with the ball and quick runs late in the order. Ibrahim Zadran anchors at number three or Azmatullah Omarzai provides right hand power through the off side.

Bangladesh

Mustafizur Rahman next to Taskin Ahmed open the pace attack – both vary their pace on the slow surface. Litton Das sets the tempo at the top, while Nurul Hasan accelerates after the tenth over.

Tactical Outlook

The Sharjah surface is dry and grips for spin. Each side will field at least three slow bowlers. Afghanistan choose to chase if they win the toss backing Omarzai besides Nabi in the last three overs. Bangladesh want early wickets and a middle overs squeeze so the required rate climbs above nine.

Match 2: India Women vs Pakistan Women (ICC Women’s ODI World Cup)

Venue & Timing

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

Last Match Performance

• India Women opened the tournament with a win built on brisk batting and tight bowling. Smriti Mandhana besides Shafali Verma gave the side steady starts and Deepti Sharma contributed runs and wickets.
• Pakistan Women flashed ability but lacked steadiness. Bismah Maroof or Nida Dar scored most of the runs plus the bowlers took wickets in short bursts yet failed to squeeze the scoring for full spells.

Players to Watch

India Women – Mandhana times the ball through the off side, Verma attacks the powerplay next to Deepti balances the side with bat and ball.
Pakistan Women – Maroof anchors the innings, Dar adds runs and breakthroughs but also left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu probes the stumps on a slow surface.

Tactical Outlook

India build big stands in the middle order and lift the rate in the last ten overs – their spin trio then choke the middle phase. Pakistan need early wickets to expose a long Indian tail and must keep wides as well as no-balls out of the card. If they restrict India below 240 and chase without a collapse, the game turns their way.

Conclusion

The 5 October 2025 double header splits the day between Sharjah besides Colombo. Afghanistan meet Bangladesh in a T20I decided by spin and final-over hitting, while India Women face Pakistan Women in a World Cup group match that carries old scorecards besides fresh pressure. Two grounds, two formats, one afternoon of cricket.

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