AFG VS ZIM 1ST T20I

So, that’s that from the first T20I. Afghanistan win by 53 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. Zimbabwe will have to regroup quickly and find answers with both bat and ball. The second T20I will be played on Friday, 31st October, with the first ball scheduled for 11.30 am GMT. Do join us an hour early for all the pre-match buildup and insights. Afghanistan will look to seal the series, while Zimbabwe will fight to stay alive. For now, it’s the Afghans who dance in joy, and the Zimbabweans reflect in silence. Until then, breathe and smile! TAKE CARE! CIAO!

The victorious skipper of Afghanistan, Rashid Khan, says that he is pretty happy with the win, especially after losing their last five T20Is. Mentions that the team needed this victory badly, and it was a brilliant all-round effort from everyone. Praises the openers for giving a strong base, which allowed the rest of the lineup to capitalise. Rashid highlights that this is the same group that reached the 2024 T20I World Cup semifinals, and that they never needed many changes, just better execution. Adds that the key was to start well both with bat and ball, something they missed in recent matches. With power-hitters in the middle-order and rising stars like Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid feels confident that Afghanistan can carry this momentum forward.

Azmatullah Omarzai is adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his impressive all-round performance. He says that he’s happy with the win, crediting Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz for providing a strong start that allowed the team to carry the momentum forward. Mentions that the wicket was on the slower side, so they focused on using variations effectively while bowling. Adds that the team initially targeted a score around 160, but reaching 180 made things very comfortable for their bowlers. Praising the bowling unit, he says that everyone executed their roles well, and the team is delighted with how they performed overall.

The skipper of Zimbabwe, Sikandar Raza, says that the Afghan batters played well in the Powerplay, and that made the difference. He feels a score around 165 could have changed the game, as the pitch didn’t have much pace but was still very chaseable. Admits that his side was a bit off the mark and lacked precision at the top, something they’ll look to improve. Adds that they were slightly unlucky at times, but if they had wickets in hand by the 15th over, it could’ve been a different story altogether. Praises the lower order for showing some fight, though he says they don’t want to rely on them too often. Looking ahead, Raza hopes that the team can bounce back stronger on Friday with better execution and more discipline.

Time for the Post-Match Presentations...

But as soon as they looked set, Mujeeb came back to finish the job. He dismissed both Evans and Maposa in the same over, ending with 4/20 - a spell of pure class. Azmatullah also impressed with 3/29, while Abdollah Ahmadzai picked two. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 127 in 16.1 overs, falling short by 53 runs. Their effort with the bat lacked depth, but their fighting spirit late in the game will be something to carry into the next one.

Tony Munyonga and Musekiwa tried to rebuild, but there was too much to do and too little support. Then came a run-out, a real 'oh no' moment for Zimbabwe as Musekiwa departed after some lazy running. At 68/7, it was all but over. However, a fighting stand between Brad Evans and Tinotenda Maposa gave the fans something to cheer about. Both played freely, adding a 53-run eight-wicket partnership that showed courage and character even as the required rate kept climbing.

Chasing 181, Zimbabwe’s openers started with intent - Brian Bennett was on fire, smashing three boundaries in the first over! But Mujeeb had other plans. He came in and struck not once but twice in the second over of the second innings, removing both Marumani and Taylor. Then, Azmatullah joined the party, dismissing Raza and Burl in quick succession. Within the first three overs, Zimbabwe were gasping at 25/4. The Powerplay ended at 35/5, and suddenly that 181 looked like Mount Everest.

But then came Sikandar Raza, the captain, the crisis man, and the hope of Zimbabwean fans. He turned the game for a moment, removing both Ibrahim and Rasooli on consecutive balls - a stunning double strike! The Afghans slipped from 103/1 to 103/3, suddenly losing their flow. But as they always do, they rebuilt. Azmatullah Omarzai and Shahidullah stitched together a vital partnership later on, keeping the run rate healthy with sharp running and calculated hitting. In the end, Shahidullah’s 22 unbeaten and a handy cameo from Rashid Khan took Afghanistan to 180/6, a total that looked strong but not unreachable.

Afghanistan, after winning the toss, decided to bat first, and boy, did their openers make full use of that decision! Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran came out all guns blazing, adding 76 runs in no time. The ball was racing off the bat, boundaries flying, and Zimbabwe were left scratching their heads. Gurbaz fell for a quickfire 39, but Ibrahim continued the assault, raising his fifty off just 31 balls. The scoreboard read 103/1 in the 11th over, and it looked like a 200-plus total was brewing.

A day of dominance, and dazzling bowling - Afghanistan crush Zimbabwe by 53 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series! From blistering starts to breathtaking collapses, this game had it all. The Afghans showed why they’re among the best T20 sides, controlling almost every phase after the first innings. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, looked promising early but soon found themselves tangled in Afghanistan’s spin web. Their late fightback added respectability to the scorecard, but it wasn’t enough to stop a red-hot Afghan side from storming to victory in Harare.

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! DONE AND DUSTED! Abdullah Ahmadzai hurls it on a length and bowls it from wide of the crease to create an inward angle. Pitches it up and keeps the line around middle. The ball keeps coming back and cramps the batter. Blessing Muzarabani tries to get away from it as he hangs his bat in front, but gets a bit late. The ball beats the inside edge of the bat, brushes his front pad and crashes into the middle stump. Afghanistan win the first T20I by 53 runs.

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! DONE AND DUSTED! Abdullah Ahmadzai hurls it on a length and bowls it from wide of the crease to create an inward angle. Pitches it up and keeps the line around middle. The ball keeps coming back and cramps the batter. Blessing Muzarabani tries to get away from it as he hangs his bat in front, but gets a bit late. The ball beats the inside edge of the bat, brushes his front pad and crashes into the middle stump. Afghanistan win the first T20I by 53 runs.

On the fuller side, around leg, Blessing Muzarabani nudges it to deep square leg for a single.

OUT! TAKEN! Tossed up by Mujeeb Ur Rahman, on middle and off. Tinotenda Maposa gets down on one knee, looking for a slog sweep. The ball catches the top edge, and the ball loops high up in the sky to the right of the keeper. Gurbaz makes no mistake in catching it safely in his gloves. Zimbabwe lose their ninth wicket, and Blessing Muzarabani stepped on the field as the last man.

OUT! TAKEN! Tossed up by Mujeeb Ur Rahman, on middle and off. Tinotenda Maposa gets down on one knee, looking for a slog sweep. The ball catches the top edge, and the ball loops high up in the sky to the right of the keeper. Gurbaz makes no mistake in catching it safely in his gloves. Zimbabwe lose their ninth wicket, and Blessing Muzarabani stepped on the field as the last man.

Pitches it up, around leg. Richard Ngarava flicks it wide of long on for a couple of runs.