Afghanistan 177 (Ahmadzai 52, Shahidullah 46, Rashid 30, Nyamhuri 4-31) beat Zimbabwe 140 (Burl 32, Farooqi 3-13, Rashid 2-20) by 37 runs
Ijaz Ahmadzai turned a familiar cricket cliché into reality in Sharjah, batting on a surface that seemed to behave differently from the rest. Walking in at 66 for 5 during the 12th over of the series opener against Zimbabwe, Ahmadzai neutralized the slow, gripping track with a blistering 20-ball half-century.
Although Afghanistan were bowled out with one ball remaining, their total of 177 proved more than enough as Zimbabwe’s batters struggled to 140 all out on a pitch that stayed sluggish throughout. Rashid Khan bolstered the total with an unorthodox 30 off 10 balls at the death, then returned with the ball to claim 2 for 20.
The all-round contributions from Ahmadzai and Rashid secured a comfortable 37-run victory for Afghanistan, extending their T20I dominance over Zimbabwe to a 20-2 record.
Masuku Announces Himself on T20I Debut
Brad Evans struck in the second over as Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran endured another disappointing start with the bat, holing a slot ball straight to cover. Thirty-three-year-old Ernest Masuku, making his T20I debut in place of the injured Blessing Muzarabani, immediately made an impact with back-of-a-length deliveries and an awkward angle off the surface. He had Sediqullah Atal edge behind before trapping Mohammad Akram in front; replays suggested the delivery was heading over the stumps, but with no DRS available, Akram had to walk back.
Ernest Masuku took two wickets in the powerplay•Afghanistan Cricket Board
Shahidullah and Ahmadzai Rebuild Afghanistan’s Innings
Afghanistan suffered another blow when opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell to a brilliant catch by Sikander Raza at extra cover off Wellington Mazakadza’s left-arm spin in the ninth over. Zimbabwe’s captain then turned to the ball and, three overs later, had Azmatullah Omarzai chip a googly back to become the fifth batter out.
The momentum then shifted. Shahidullah had anchored the innings with a patient 46 off 42 before his dismissal in the 17th over, while Ahmadzai attacked relentlessly at the other end—advancing down the track, finding the ‘V’ with lofted shots, and playing effective sweeps. Together they added 61 runs in just 4.5 overs.
Rashid Unleashes Big Hits at the Death
Although Rashid Khan typically bats at No. 8, his 10-ball cameo offered a reminder of why he remains a potent finisher. He struck one four and four sixes, taking pace off slower deliveries and punishing fuller balls. Much like his partner Ahmadzai, Rashid’s highlight came with a deft wristy cut off Brad Evans in the 19th over—a shot that drew a smile and a thumbs-up from the bowler himself.
Rashid Khan provided fireworks at the end•Afghanistan Cricket Board
Rashid was dismissed with four balls remaining when Wessly Madhevere took a diving catch at midwicket off a miscued heave—the second spectacular catch of the day. By then Afghanistan had already seized control. Newman Nyamhuri claimed the first of his three final-over wickets and finished with figures of 4 for 31.
Disciplined Afghanistan Stifle Zimbabwe’s Chase
Having let Afghanistan back into the match with wayward lines and lengths, Zimbabwe received no such generosity during their own reply. They lost only Ben Curran in the powerplay, who slogged across the line to midwicket off Fazalhaq Farooqi in the third over, and reached 38 for 1 at the end of the opening phase.
Breaking from his usual pattern, Rashid Khan bowled the final over of the powerplay instead of waiting until after it. He conceded just three runs while already extracting turn, and in the eighth over he set up Zimbabwe’s most settled batter, No. 3 Innocent Kaia, with a succession of googlies. The final delivery beat Kaia’s attempted cut and crashed into the stumps.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan returned combined figures of 4 for 47 from their eight overs•Afghanistan Cricket Board
Zimbabwe Crumble in the Middle Overs
Brian Bennett, who had managed only 13 off 17 balls, hoisted a length delivery straight to Rashid at cow corner, leaving Zimbabwe at 56 for 3 around the halfway mark of the chase—a position Afghanistan had also reached earlier, though with more wickets intact and a clearer path forward.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Bennett’s wicket-taker, attacked the leg-stump line and leaked five wides during his spell, but he also induced Sikander Raza into a slog sweep that was caught in the deep. Mujeeb finished with 2 for 27.
The collapse accelerated thereafter. Rashid returned to trap Tadiwanashe Marumani lbw for his 199th T20I wicket. Top scorer Ryan Burl, who had made 32 off 24, fell in the 17th over when he slapped a Farooqi length ball to cover but found it safely in Shahidullah’s outstretched hands—the third outstanding catch of the evening. Shahidullah then removed Wessly Madhevere in his only over of the match.
Fazalhaq Farooqi steamed in for the final over and pitched a full ball outside off. Nyamhuri slogged it toward Rashid, who took the catch to seal Afghanistan’s sixth straight T20I victory over Zimbabwe.
