An all-round masterclass from Rashid Khan and a quickfire half-century by Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai propelled Afghanistan to a 37-run win over Zimbabwe in their T20I series opener at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Afghanistan set a target of 177 before rolling Zimbabwe out for 140. And Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai’s breezy half-century, Afghanistan secured a 37-run win over Zimbabwe in the first T20I, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, on Tuesday, led by Rashid Khan’s all-round performance (10-ball 30 & 2-20).
After opting to bat first, Afghanistan endured a disastrous start, slumping to 18 for 3 within three overs as Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, and Mohammad Akram fell early while Rahmanullah Gurbaz struggled for fluency. The side reached 68 for 5 by the 12th over before initiating a massive counterattack, sparked by Shahidullah Kamal slapping Ernest Masuku over extra cover for six in the 13th over.
Ahmadzai elevated the scoring rate in the following over, hammering Sikandar Raza for a six and consecutive boundaries, before handing Wellington Masakadza similar punishment. Following Kamal’s departure for 46, skipper Rashid Khan stepped up to partner Ahmadzai, generating an explosive 50-run blitz off just 17 balls. Ahmadzai reached 52 before Zimbabwe rallied late in the final over, bowling Afghanistan out for 177 in 19.5 overs as Newman Nyamhuri picked up 4 for 31 and Brad Evans claimed 2 for 34. 50 runs were added in the 17 balls since Rashid arrived in the middle, before Zimbabwe seized some momentum back in the final over to bundle out the hosts for 177. When Ahmadzai took apart Sikandar Raza for a six and two boundaries off successive deliveries, but the big assault followed in the next over. Even as Kamal departed in his effort to sustain the attack, Afghanistan only shifted a gear higher, with Rashid Khan joining Ahmadzai in the assault.
Zimbabwe’s chase faltered early as Ben Curran was dismissed for 7, while Innocent Kaia and Brian Bennett managed only a sluggish 36-run stand. Spinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan removed both set batters in quick succession, thwarting any potential recovery. Despite brief cameos from Ryan Burl with 32, alongside quick 17s from Sikandar Raza and Wessley Madhevere, Zimbabwe crumbled under a rising required rate.
Fazalhaq Farooqi tore through the lineup with figures of 3 for 13, supported by Rashid’s 2 for 20. Azmatullah Omarzai capped off the performance by cleaning up Masuku in the 20th over to wrap up Zimbabwe’s innings at 140 in 19.1 overs, ensuring every bowler except Noor Ahmad took at least one wicket.
