AFG vs ZIM: Afghanistan began their three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe with a convincing 37-run victory at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 27, 2026. After being asked to bat first, Afghanistan posted 177 runs before being bowled out in 19.5 overs. Zimbabwe struggled to keep pace with the target and were dismissed for 140 in 19.1 overs, handing the visitors a winning start to the series.
Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai leads Afghanistan’s recovery
Afghanistan’s innings experienced early setbacks as Zimbabwe’s bowlers made regular breakthroughs. Newman Nyamhuri finished with four wickets for 31 runs, while Ernest Masuku claimed two important wickets to put the batting side under pressure.
However, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai produced a crucial counterattacking performance, scoring 52 off just 22 deliveries. His aggressive knock helped Afghanistan regain momentum and push their total towards a competitive 177. Shahidullah Kamal also contributed during the innings, helping his team recover from a difficult start.
Despite Nyamhuri’s impressive bowling effort, Zimbabwe could not prevent Afghanistan from setting a challenging target on a surface that rewarded positive batting.
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Farooqi’s bowling seals a comfortable victory
Zimbabwe’s chase never gathered sufficient momentum against Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling attack. Ryan Burl top-scored with 32 off 24 balls, but his effort failed to inspire a sustained recovery as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
Fazalhaq Farooqi spearheaded the Afghan attack, claiming three wickets for just 13 runs in 3.1 overs. Azmatullah Omarzai provided valuable support with two wickets, ensuring Zimbabwe remained under pressure throughout the chase. The Zimbabwean batting lineup was eventually dismissed for 140, leaving Afghanistan winners by 37 runs.
The result highlighted Afghanistan’s ability to recover from early batting difficulties and then defend their total through disciplined bowling. While Zimbabwe’s bowlers, particularly Nyamhuri, had their moments, the visitors proved more effective in the decisive stages of the contest. Afghanistan will now look to carry this winning momentum into the second T20I, scheduled for October 29, while Zimbabwe must improve their batting performance to level the series.
Brief Score: Afghanistan 177 all out (19.5 overs) Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai 52 (22), Shahidullah Kamal 46 (42); Newman Nyamhuri 4/31. Zimbabwe 140 all out (19.1 overs) Ryan Burl 32 (24); Fazalhaq Farooqi 3/13. Afghanistan won by 37 runs.
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