In a commanding performance, Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by 53 runs in the opening T20I match held in Harare. The Afghan team scored 180 runs for the loss of 6 wickets, while Zimbabwe could only manage 127 runs.
Strong Performances from Afghanistan’s Key Players
Ibrahim Zadran led the charge for Afghanistan with a well-crafted 52 runs, supported effectively by Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who contributed 39 runs. Their strong partnership helped set a formidable total.
All-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai played a crucial role as well, scoring late runs and taking vital wickets during the game. Mujeeb Ur Rahman also shone with the ball, capturing 4 wickets for just 20 runs, sealing the match for Afghanistan.
Zimbabwe’s Struggles in Powerplay
The match began with a strong start from Afghanistan’s batting lineup. They quickly put Zimbabwe on the back foot, achieving a five-wicket powerplay. Zimbabwe’s top-order batsmen struggled, losing 5 wickets within just 6 overs.
- Ibrahim Zadran: 52 runs
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz: 39 runs
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman: 4 wickets, 20 runs
- Azmatullah Omarzai: 3 wickets, 29 runs
- Sikandar Raza: 3 wickets, 20 runs
Game Progression
Afghanistan initially scored 6 runs off the first 11 balls, concentrating on forming a stable foundation. Zadran and Gurbaz then executed a series of powerful boundaries, amassing 63 runs without loss by the end of the powerplay.
However, the momentum briefly stalled when Sikandar Raza dismissed both Zadran and Darwish Rasooli in quick succession. With Afghanistan at 101 for 3, they faced pressure to rebuild.
Yet, Omarzai and Shahidullah managed to stabilize the innings. Together, they added valuable runs, enabling Afghanistan to finish their innings strong, reaching 180 runs.
Zimbabwe’s Collapse
Zimbabwe’s response started positively but deteriorated rapidly. Brian Bennett struck three fours in the first over, only to see his teammates falter shortly after. Mujeeb’s exceptional bowling dismantled Zimbabwe’s batting lineup, with Omarzai also providing significant breakthroughs.
- Top Batsman: Tinotenda Maposa, 32 runs
- Most Wickets: Sikandar Raza, 3 wickets
- Total Wickets Lost in Powerplay: 5 wickets
Next Steps
The two teams are set to face each other again on October 31 for the second match of the three-game series. Afghanistan now holds a 1-0 lead, having claimed 17 victories from the last 19 T20Is against Zimbabwe.
