Afghanistan recover from 66 for five to beat Zimbabwe in first T20I
SHARJAH – Zimbabwe had Afghanistan 66 for five in the 12th over of the first T20I at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, but lost by 37 runs on Tuesday evening.
Afghanistan’s lower order scored 111 runs from the last 52 balls to post 177 all out in 19.5 overs. Zimbabwe were then bowled out for 140 in 19.1 overs, and Afghanistan lead the three match series 1-0.
Zimbabwe chose to field and made early breakthroughs. Brad Evans removed captain Ibrahim Zadran (5), caught by Brian Bennett, in the second over.
Ernest Masuku, on his T20I debut, took two wickets in his first over. Sediqullah Atal (2) was caught behind by Tadiwanashe Marumani, and Mohammad Akram (4) went lbw, leaving Afghanistan 18 for three in the third over.
Wellington Masakadza had Rahmanullah Gurbaz (18) caught by captain Sikandar Raza. Raza caught and bowled Azmatullah Omarzai (7).
From 66 for five, Shahidullah (46 off 42 balls) and Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai added 57 for the sixth wicket. Ahmadzai went on to make 52 off 22 balls, with four fours and four sixes. Rashid Khan followed with 30 off 10 balls, including four sixes. Afghanistan hit 11 sixes in all, every one of them from those three batters.
Left arm seamer Newman Nyamhuri finished with four for 31 from 3.5 overs, his best figures in T20I cricket. He took three wickets in the final over, removing Rashid, Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, to end the innings. He had earlier dismissed Shahidullah. Evans took two for 34 and Masuku two for 41.
Chasing 178, Zimbabwe made 38 for one in the powerplay. Innocent Kaia, back from a thigh injury, scored 24 off 26 balls before Rashid bowled him. Ryan Burl top scored with 32 off 24 balls, including two sixes, and Raza made 17 off 13. From 94 for four in the 14th over, Zimbabwe lost their last six wickets for 46 runs.
Fazalhaq Farooqi took three for 13 from 3.1 overs, and Rashid two for 20 from four. Mujeeb took two for 27 and Omarzai two for 39. Rashid was named Player of the Match.
The second T20I is in Sharjah on Thursday, with the third on Sunday. Two Tests follow in November. Zimbabwe and Afghanistan also meet in Group A of the 2027 World Cup, which Zimbabwe co-host with South Africa and Namibia.
