Afghanistan Men’s National Cricket Team delivered a dominant performance to defeat Zimbabwe by 53 runs in the opening T20I at Harare Sports Club, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The visitors outplayed the hosts in all departments — with disciplined batting at the top and a ruthless bowling display that left Zimbabwe struggling from the outset.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Afghanistan made the most of a good batting surface. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran gave their side a flying start, attacking from the first over. Gurbaz smashed 39 off 25 balls, setting the tone with aggressive strokeplay, while Ibrahim anchored the innings with a fluent 52 from 33 deliveries, including six boundaries and a six. The duo added 68 runs in just 6.2 overs before Zimbabwe found a breakthrough.
After the openers fell in quick succession, Afghanistan momentarily stumbled at 128 for 5 as Zimbabwe’s spinners tried to claw back control. But Azmatullah Omarzai and Shahidullah combined well in the latter stages, ensuring momentum didn’t fade. Omarzai’s quickfire 27 off 21 balls and Shahidullah’s unbeaten 22 off 13 powered Afghanistan to a strong total of 180 for 6 from their 20 overs — a score that looked slightly above par on Harare’s surface.
Zimbabwe’s chase began poorly and never recovered. Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Mujeeb Ur Rahman, dismantled the top order with accuracy and variation. Mujeeb claimed 4 wickets for just 20 runs, removing key batters including Craig Ervine and Innocent Kaia in quick succession. Azmatullah Omarzai continued his fine all-round game with 3 for 29, while skipper Rashid Khan kept things tight from his end, maintaining relentless pressure.
By the halfway mark, Zimbabwe had slumped to 68 for 7, effectively ending any hopes of a chase. The only resistance came from Tinotenda Maposa, who struck a brisk 32 off 15 balls, briefly entertaining the crowd with some late hitting. However, his effort couldn’t prevent a collapse, as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 127 in 16.1 overs — falling well short of the target.
For Afghanistan, the win was not just convincing but also timely. Having lost several T20Is recently, the team’s renewed energy was evident in their fielding intensity and bowling execution. Ibrahim Zadran’s return to form at the top was another major positive, while Mujeeb’s wicket-taking rhythm reinforced Afghanistan’s depth in spin.
Captain Rashid Khan praised his side’s balance and adaptability, highlighting the importance of starting the series strongly. He also credited the openers for giving Afghanistan the perfect platform. On the other side, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza acknowledged his team’s shortcomings, admitting the early wickets and lack of partnerships cost them heavily.
With the 53-run victory, Afghanistan have taken firm control of the series and will look to seal it in the second T20I. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, must regroup quickly, as another loss would hand Afghanistan an unassailable lead. To stay alive, they’ll need sharper intent with the bat and greater discipline with the ball — otherwise, this series could slip away fast.
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