Back to the trend of the day: Bangladesh face Afghanistan today in a race for the October 23 final (in Hindi)

Poly Rating · from the trend of the day

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh ODI 2026: Top 10 Upset Teams

Zimbabwe are rated only 64-65, yet they beat ninth-ranked Bangladesh by 99 runs on 17 October, so Bangladesh now need to beat Afghanistan today by about 40 runs to reach the final.

No. 1: Afghanistan
10 places
Current as of October 21, 2026, 09:15 EDT

01Final list

The leading AIs each built their own list of ten independently. Here is one result that is easy to check: every place has a reason, a source, and the list of AIs that included it.

Order: from most to least AI agreement.

A bright badge means this AI put the entry on its list. A dim badge means it did not.

1
Afghanistan
Rated 92 and only 2 points behind Sri Lanka. Beat England at the 2025 Champions Trophy and swept Bangladesh 3-0. The No.1 ODI bowler leads their attack.
Included it: Claude, Gemini, Nemotron, Grok, MiMo, StepFun, Z.ai, DeepSeek. Did not include: Meta.
In their lists: Claude: 1 · Gemini: 1 · Nemotron: 1 · Grok: 1 · MiMo: 1 · StepFun: 1 · Z.ai: 1 · DeepSeek: 1
What each AI noted 8
- Claudeplace 1
  Only 3 rating points behind Sri Lanka (93 vs 96), with a spin attack led by the No.1-rated ODI bowler.
- Geminiplace 1
  Took down three former world champions at the 2023 World Cup and boasts a 38% win rate against top-6 opponents over the past 24 months.
- Nemotronplace 1
  Rating gap of just 2 points to Bangladesh, 33% win rate vs higher-ranked sides, and a pace-heavy attack (58% pace wickets) that mirrors World Cup hosts' conditions.
- Grokplace 1
  Only 2 rating points behind England and Sri Lanka at 92, with recent series wins over higher-ranked sides including South Africa and England
- MiMoplace 1
  Two rating points behind England — one good week and the 'upset' side becomes the higher-ranked one.
  Source ↗
- StepFunplace 1
  Two rating points behind Sri Lanka, the world's No.1 bowler, and an attack built for the pitches the 2027 hosts are about to install.
  Source ↗
- Z.aiplace 1
  The world's No.1 ODI bowler and No.1 ODI all-rounder share an 8th-ranked dressing room — and they just beat a 2027 World Cup co-host by 158 runs.
  Source ↗
- DeepSeekplace 1
  The only side below the top eight that has won a bilateral ODI series against a top-three team in the last two years — and it did it 2-1, not by one freak match.
8 AIs put it here
Source ↗
2
Zimbabwe
Rated 64-65, beat ninth-ranked Bangladesh by 99 runs and lost to Australia by one wicket in Harare. Co-hosts of the 2027 World Cup.
Included it: Claude, Gemini, Nemotron, Grok, MiMo, StepFun, Z.ai, DeepSeek. Did not include: Meta.
In their lists: Claude: 4 · Gemini: 2 · Nemotron: 3 · Grok: 3 · MiMo: 2 · StepFun: 4 · Z.ai: 2 · DeepSeek: 2
What each AI noted 8
- Claudeplace 4
  Rated 53, a full 31 points below Bangladesh (84), yet they won by 99 runs on 17 Oct 2026, and they co-host the World Cup.
  Source ↗
- Geminiplace 2
  Direct co-host enjoying home advantage at Harare Sports Club and Queens Sports Club, where they have upset Australia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
- Nemotronplace 3
  Home advantage with 60% of ODIs in host nations, 20% upset rate, and a pace attack taking 70% of wickets — exceeding the local norm.
- Grokplace 3
  Hosts at 64 points, with home advantage on slower inland tracks that reward spin and cutters
  Source ↗
- MiMoplace 2
  Rated 63 — the lowest number in this top 10 — yet they just beat the side ranked 9th by 99 runs, on pitches like the ones that will host the 2027 World Cup.
  Source ↗
- StepFunplace 4
  Fifteen points outside the top ten on paper, but co-hosts who beat Bangladesh by 99 runs and lost to Australia by one wicket chasing 272.
  Source ↗
- Z.aiplace 2
  Hosts who climbed from 61 to 65 rating points in five days after a 99-run demolition of Bangladesh — and 39-year-old Brendan Taylor just passed Andy Flower as Zimbabwe's all-time ODI run-scorer.
  Source ↗
- DeepSeekplace 2
  Co-hosts who have just beaten the side immediately above them by 99 runs — and will play every World Cup match in conditions they know better than anyone.
8 AIs put it here
Source ↗
3
Bangladesh
Won ODI series against Pakistan and Australia in 2026, then lost to 11th-ranked Zimbabwe by 99. Rated 82, 10 points below Afghanistan.
Included it: Claude, Gemini, Nemotron, Grok, MiMo, StepFun, Z.ai, DeepSeek. Did not include: Meta.
In their lists: Claude: 7 · Gemini: 7 · Nemotron: 2 · Grok: 2 · MiMo: 4 · StepFun: 2 · Z.ai: 6 · DeepSeek: 3
What each AI noted 8
- Claudeplace 7
  Only 5 points behind England (84 vs 89), but they open the day on a 99-run loss.
  Source ↗
- Geminiplace 7
  Won an away ODI series 2-1 on South African soil in 2022 and registered a 26% win rate against top-6 ranked nations over the last 24 months.
- Nemotronplace 2
  Only 5 points behind Sri Lanka, 25% upset win rate, and 40% of recent ODIs in pace-friendly conditions after tour of South Africa in 2025.
- Grokplace 2
  82 points, 10 behind Afghanistan, with proven spin attack suited to slower southern African tracks
  Source ↗
- MiMoplace 4
  Ninth on 83 — and today they must win by about 40 runs just to reach a tri-series final.
  Source ↗
- StepFunplace 2
  The only side in the world that has beaten both Pakistan and Australia in ODI series in the same year - and then lost to the team ranked 11th by 99 runs.
- Z.aiplace 6
  Ninth and captain-less in Sharjah — Litton Das out with a hip injury, Mehidy down with fever — a 10-point gap to Afghanistan says underdog; their spin-and-cutters toolkit says otherwise.
  Source ↗
- DeepSeekplace 3
  Bangladesh's 86-run win over Australia shows the ceiling; their 99-run loss to Zimbabwe shows why they are third, not first.
  Source ↗
8 AIs put it here
Source ↗
More about the top three ↓
4
Sri Lanka
One point behind England (94 v 95), but lost 1-2 to England in early 2026. Their famous 2-0 over India is from 2024, outside the window.
Included it: Claude, Gemini, Nemotron, Grok, MiMo, StepFun, Z.ai. Did not include: Meta, DeepSeek.
In their lists: Claude: 2 · Gemini: 5 · Nemotron: 4 · Grok: 5 · MiMo: see list · StepFun: 9 · Z.ai: 3
What each AI noted 7
- Claudeplace 2
  Just 2 points behind Pakistan (96 vs 98), and spin-friendly venues travel well to Zimbabwe's slower surfaces.
- Geminiplace 5
  Bridged their rating deficit with a historic 2-0 bilateral ODI series triumph against top-ranked India in 2024, winning 35% of games against top-5 opposition.
- Nemotronplace 4
  Tight 5-point gap to England, 35% win rate vs higher-ranked, but only 15% recent games in southern Africa; spin-heavy (55% spin wickets) may struggle on bouncy tracks.
- Grokplace 5
  94 points tied with England, spin-heavy side that could exploit Zimbabwe and some SA surfaces
  Source ↗
- MiMo
  Named differently in its own list: open the full list.
  see list
- StepFunplace 9
  One point behind England - the smallest gap in the top ten - carried by a top-heavy spin attack.
  Source ↗
- Z.aiplace 3
  One rating point behind England — the tightest gap in the top eight — and the last side to beat India in a bilateral ODI series.
  Source ↗
7 AIs put it here
Source ↗
5
West Indies
Ranked 10th on 79, yet chased 352 to beat No.1 India in October. They also lost to Ireland by 124, and one AI found no wins over higher-ranked sides.
Included it: Gemini, Nemotron, Grok, MiMo, StepFun, Z.ai, DeepSeek. Did not include: Claude, Meta.
In their lists: Gemini: 6 · Nemotron: 5 · Grok: 4 · MiMo: see list · StepFun: 8 · Z.ai: 4 · DeepSeek: 7
What each AI noted 7
- Geminiplace 6
  Unleashed dynamic express pace hitting 145+ km/h suited directly to Centurion and Wanderers bounce, pulling off major bilateral upsets against England.
- Nemotronplace 5
  10-point gap to Afghanistan, 18% upset rate, 30% games in similar conditions, but pace attack (75% wickets) perfectly suited for South African pitches.
- Grokplace 4
  79 points, close enough to challenge mid-table sides with pace options for highveld bounce
  Source ↗
- MiMo
  Named differently in its own list: open the full list.
  see list
- StepFunplace 8
  Only three points behind Bangladesh, but 0 for 2026 against sides ranked above them - Sri Lanka and India both took series off them.
  Source ↗
- Z.aiplace 4
  Two-time champions ranked 10th — outside the direct-qualification cut for 2027 — yet this month they chased 352 to beat India.
  Source ↗
- DeepSeekplace 7
  Ranked 10th but with the firepower to beat top-eight sides; the problem is that the same side can lose to Ireland by 124 runs.
7 AIs put it here
Source ↗
6
Netherlands
Rated 44 and beat South Africa at the 2023 World Cup, which is outside the window. Recent wins are over Zimbabwe in Bulawayo (one source) and Namibia in Windhoek.
Included it: Gemini, Nemotron, MiMo, StepFun, Z.ai, DeepSeek. Did not include: Claude, Meta, Grok.
In their lists: Gemini: 3 · Nemotron: 8 · MiMo: 9 · StepFun: 7 · Z.ai: 7 · DeepSeek: 6
What each AI noted 6
- Geminiplace 3
  Defeated South Africa at consecutive global tournaments (T20 World Cup 2022 and ODI World Cup 2023) through relentless seam discipline.
- Nemotronplace 8
  22-point gap to Scotland, 9% upset rate, 0% southern Africa exposure, pace/spin split 60:40 — decent but inexperienced.
- MiMoplace 9
  Fourteenth on 44 — yet they out-rated Scotland despite playing three more matches of grinding League 2 cricket.
- StepFunplace 7
  One point behind Scotland, and the only 2027 qualifier that has already been winning ODIs in Windhoek.
  Source ↗
- Z.aiplace 7
  The last team to beat South Africa at a World Cup — and they may need the February-March 2027 Qualifier just to get back.
  Source ↗
- DeepSeekplace 6
  The Dutch have a World Cup win over South Africa in their recent record, but their 2026 results in Zimbabwe show they are more dangerous in a one-off than across a campaign.
6 AIs put it here
Source ↗
7
Pakistan
Whitewashed South Africa 3-0 in South Africa in Dec 2024, then went up to 103 and passed Australia after beating England. They also lost 1-2 in Bangladesh.
Included it: Claude, Grok, MiMo, StepFun, Z.ai. Did not include: Meta, Gemini, Nemotron, DeepSeek.
In their lists: Claude: 3 · Grok: 7 · MiMo: 3 · StepFun: 5 · Z.ai: 5
What each AI noted 5
- Claudeplace 3
  Rated 98, only 4 points behind hosts South Africa (102), with a spinner (Abrar Ahmed) in the top two of the bowling table.
- Grokplace 7
  Just rose to 103 points (4th), overtaking Australia after wins over England and Sri Lanka
- MiMoplace 3
  Fourth on 103 after beating England on 16 October — the clearest proof that one series now moves whole places.
  Source ↗
- StepFunplace 5
  Three points off India with the world's No.2 bowler (Abrar, 675) - and a 1-2 home loss to Bangladesh as the warning.
  Source ↗
- Z.aiplace 5
  Level with Australia on 102 — and the last visiting side to whitewash South Africa in South Africa, a 2027 host.
  Source ↗
5 AIs put it here
Source ↗
8
South Africa
Co-hosts rated 104, 5 below New Zealand. One source says they beat Australia 2-1 at home in Sept 2026. Pakistan swept them at home in 2024.
Included it: Claude, Gemini, Grok, MiMo, StepFun. Did not include: Meta, Nemotron, Z.ai, DeepSeek.
In their lists: Claude: 5 · Gemini: 4 · Grok: 9 · MiMo: 5 · StepFun: 3
What each AI noted 5
- Claudeplace 5
  The 2027 hosts, up 4 points to 102 in the annual update, and the only top-4 side that plays most of its cricket on these pitches.
- Geminiplace 4
  Co-hosts holding an 8-point gap to the world No. 1 spot, with a 65% home win rate against top-3 ranked sides over the last two years.
- Grokplace 9
  104 points (3rd) and co-hosts, but drop-in pitches may reduce traditional home edge
  Source ↗
- MiMoplace 5
  The one top-four side that will play the entire World Cup at home — and the only host that must beat teams ranked above it.
- StepFunplace 3
  The one team on this list that has already beaten the side above it - 2-1 over Australia at home in September - and they are a co-host.
  Source ↗
5 AIs put it here
Source ↗
9
Scotland
Rated 44-45, and one report has them beating England by 6 runs in Edinburgh in May 2026. Only one source has that result, so it stays lower.
Included it: Gemini, Nemotron, MiMo, Z.ai, DeepSeek. Did not include: Claude, Meta, Grok, StepFun.
In their lists: Gemini: 9 · Nemotron: 7 · MiMo: 10 · Z.ai: 8 · DeepSeek: 4
What each AI noted 5
- Geminiplace 9
  Knocked West Indies and Zimbabwe out of contention during the 2023 Qualifiers with an aggressive seam battery tailored to high bounce.
- Nemotronplace 7
  20-point gap to Ireland, 10% win rate vs higher-ranked, no recent southern Africa games, yet 65% pace wickets suit the conditions.
- MiMoplace 10
  44 rating to the Netherlands' 44 — the table's tightest two places are separated only by decimals.
  Source ↗
- Z.aiplace 8
  The side that knocked two-time champions West Indies out of the 2023 World Cup race — and McMullen, player of that match, is now the No.8 ODI all-rounder.
  Source ↗
- DeepSeekplace 4
  Beat England by six runs in May — the widest team-rating gap of any recent ODI upset in this list — but still has to come through the qualifier.
5 AIs put it here
Source ↗
10
Ireland
Rated 51 and beat West Indies by 124 in May 2025. In Aug 2026 they lost every ODI at home to Afghanistan; sources disagree on 4-0 or 0-3.
Included it: Claude, Gemini, Nemotron, Z.ai, DeepSeek. Did not include: Meta, Grok, MiMo, StepFun.
In their lists: Claude: 10 · Gemini: 8 · Nemotron: 6 · Z.ai: 9 · DeepSeek: 5
What each AI noted 5
- Claudeplace 10
  Ranked 11th on 54, and 20 points below the West Indies (74) in the next place up, so any upset would be a big one.
- Geminiplace 8
  Holds the all-time record for the most World Cup upsets of Full Member opponents (Pakistan, England, West Indies, Zimbabwe) by an Associate or newer Full Member.
- Nemotronplace 6
  15-point gap to Zimbabwe, 12% upset rate, minimal southern Africa exposure (8%), but pace attack (68% wickets) travels well.
- Z.aiplace 9
  The highest-rated associate (51) with the best ODI batter Ireland has ever produced at No.7 — and they just lost 4-0 at home to Afghanistan.
  Source ↗
- DeepSeekplace 5
  Ireland's 124-run win over West Indies was their biggest against a Full Member, but a 0-3 loss to Afghanistan in August shows the gap between a high ceiling and a reliable campaign.
5 AIs put it here
Source ↗

02More about the top three

The ranking is above. Here is more about the three places at the top: what they are, why they are here, and what is worth knowing.

Sources give slightly different ratings (Bangladesh 82 or 83, Zimbabwe 63 to 65), and the AIs' notes use different gaps, so treat the numbers as close, not exact.

1Afghanistan

No. 1 — Afghanistan. On the lists of 8 of 9 AIs; median place there: 1. The AIs trusted Afghanistan's high rating, their wins over big teams, and a spin attack led by the No.1 bowler.

A6-G48-soflam — Njmiller94 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Did you know

In 2024 in Sharjah, Afghanistan won their first ODI against South Africa by six wickets. South Africa collapsed to 36-7 and were all out for 106 in 33.3 overs.
Source ↗

What it is: A national men's ODI cricket team, rated 92.
Its edge: Highest rated of the three, with the most wins over stronger sides.
Who should know: Useful for fans judging who can really upset bigger teams at the 2027 World Cup.

Upset wins, ODI ratingRated 92
Founded1709
HeadquartersAfghanistan

Wikipedia · Wikidata

Why it is here

Afghanistan swept Bangladesh 3-0 in Abu Dhabi, and spinner Rashid Khan took 11 wickets across the three matches. Spin-heavy dry pitches suit his style, and the sweep moved him back to No. 1 among ODI bowlers.
Source ↗

History

Afghan cricket grew up in refugee camps in Pakistan, where boys played on concrete strips with homemade balls. In 2000 the Taliban banned most sports, but cricket was the one game they let continue.
Source ↗

Keep in mind

Rashid Khan said staying consistent is a tough challenge for Afghanistan: "Now, it's a tough challenge for us to maintain consistency." Upset wins are one thing; repeating them is harder.
Source ↗
After back surgery, doctors warned that five-day cricket could threaten Rashid's long-term fitness. He is expected to skip a Test to focus on one-day games and the 2027 World Cup, so the star bowler's workload matters.
Source ↗

What people say

But the most important thing is that I want Afghanistan to win one World Cup by the time I am there in the team. — Rashid Khan, Afghanistan star
Source ↗

Video: How the US created a disaster in Afghanistan · Vox

Compare the top three ↓

2Zimbabwe

No. 2 — Zimbabwe. On the lists of 8 of 9 AIs; median place there: 2.5. The AIs liked Zimbabwe's fresh 99-run win and their home advantage as co-hosts of the 2027 World Cup.

000 Zimbabveja harta — CIA përpunuar nga User:Hipi Zhdripi · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Did you know

In their first-ever ODI, on 9 June 1983 at Trent Bridge, Zimbabwe beat Australia by 13 runs. Duncan Fletcher top-scored with 69 not out and also took 4/42 with the ball.
Source ↗

What it is: A national men's ODI cricket team, rated 64-65, co-hosting the 2027 World Cup.
Its edge: Just beat a higher-ranked side by 99 runs and nearly beat Australia.
Who should know: Useful for fans wondering if hosts with a low rating can still cause surprises.

Upset wins, ODI ratingRated 64-65
Founded1980
HeadquartersZimbabwe

Wikipedia · Wikidata

Why it is here

Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh by 99 runs on 17 October 2026 in the tri-series opener. They made 271 for 8 and bowled Bangladesh out for 172 in 33.4 overs, a big win over a higher-ranked side.
Source ↗
At home in Harare, Zimbabwe lost the third ODI to Australia by just one wicket (271/8 against 272/9). Their first two defeats were by 59 and 84 runs, so the series closed to a near-tie.
Source ↗

Did you know

On 23 October 2024 Zimbabwe scored 344/4 against The Gambia, a world record for the highest men's T20I total. Sikandar Raza made 133 not out off 43 balls, the first T20I century by a Zimbabwean.
Source ↗

History

On 18 July 2019 the ICC suspended Zimbabwe Cricket. It said the government had broken its rule against interference by removing the elected board, so Zimbabwe teams could not play in ICC events.
Source ↗

Keep in mind

Zimbabwe's win was not smooth. Raza said, "We were three down in the first ten overs." Craig Ervine and Brendan Taylor rebuilt the innings, and Raza added that winning three of the last four does not make it easy.
Source ↗

What people say

I think our strength lies in the unity and the culture we have — Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe captain
Source ↗

Video: The military coup in Zimbabwe, explained · Vox

Compare the top three ↓

3Bangladesh

No. 3 — Bangladesh. On the lists of 8 of 9 AIs; median place there: 3.5. The AIs saw Bangladesh as strong enough to win series against big teams, but they were held back by the 99-run loss.

Did you know

Bangladesh qualified for their first World Cup in 1999 by winning the 1997 ICC Trophy. They beat Pakistan by 62 runs, scoring 223 and bowling Pakistan out for 161. Khaled Mahmud called it their first win against any Test-playing nation.
Source ↗

What it is: A national men's ODI cricket team, rated 82.
Its edge: Rated far above Zimbabwe, and has won series against Pakistan and Australia.
Who should know: Useful for fans seeing how a strong side can still lose badly to a lower-rated one.

Upset wins, ODI ratingRated 82
Founded1971
HeadquartersBangladesh

Wikipedia · Wikidata

Why it is here

Bangladesh were bowled out for 172 in 33.4 overs chasing Zimbabwe's 271 for 8, and lost by 99 runs. Taskin Ahmed took three wickets, and Tanzid top-scored with 46.
Source ↗

History

Bangladesh won its first Test on 10 January 2005 at Chittagong, beating Zimbabwe by 226 runs. It came in their 35th Test, more than four years after they first played.
Source ↗

Keep in mind

Bangladesh chased 272 and were all out for 172 in 33.4 overs. They were 42 without loss after six overs, then collapsed. Taskin said the team's lack of game awareness is a bit more than it should be.
Source ↗

What people say

270 was definitely chaseable, at least against Zimbabwe. — Taskin Ahmed, Bangladesh bowler
Source ↗

Video: How did Bangladesh become Muslim? · Knowledgia

Compare the top three ↓

The top three side by side

	Afghanistan	Zimbabwe	Bangladesh
In the AIs' lists	8 / 9	8 / 9	8 / 9
Upset wins, ODI rating	Rated 92	Rated 64-65	Rated 82
Founded	1709	1980	1971
Headquarters	Afghanistan	Zimbabwe	Bangladesh
Put first by	Claude, Gemini, Nemotron, Grok, MiMo, StepFun, Z.ai, DeepSeek	—	—

Places with the same number of AIs are ordered by their average place in the AIs' own lists.

03Worth knowing

What the AIs noticed while building the list.

Zimbabwe's rating went from 61 to 65 in five days after the Bangladesh win. Their rating rests on only 15 weighted matches, so one result moves them several places.

Noticed by:

Included it: MiMo, Z.ai. Did not include: Claude, Meta, Gemini, Nemotron, Grok, StepFun, DeepSeek.

01Final list

Afghanistan

Zimbabwe

Bangladesh

Sri Lanka

West Indies

Netherlands

Pakistan

South Africa

Scotland

Ireland

02More about the top three

1Afghanistan

Did you know

2Zimbabwe

Did you know

3Bangladesh

Did you know

The top three side by side

More ratings

03Worth knowing

04Questions people ask

05How we counted

1The question

2Why this topic

3Where it applies

4What we looked at

5Who ranked

6How the places were set

06Each AI's own list

What Claude noticed

What Gemini noticed

What Grok noticed

What MiMo noticed

What StepFun noticed

What Z.ai noticed

What DeepSeek noticed