Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 37 runs in first T20I
Ahmadzai’s 51 off 20 balls and Rashid’s late cameo set up Afghanistan’s 37-run win over Zimbabwe.
Afghanistan posted 177 and then bowled Zimbabwe out for 140 to win the opening T20I by 37 runs in Sharjah on Tuesday. Ijaz Ahmadzai scored 51 off 20 balls after Afghanistan slipped to 31 for three in the powerplay. Shahidullah Kamal made 46 off 42 balls and Rashid Khan hit 30 off 10 balls to push the total past 170.
Zimbabwe reached 38 for one after the powerplay but lost wickets at regular intervals and were unable to accelerate in the middle overs. Rashid Khan took two wickets with the ball to complement his batting cameo. Afghanistan took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
The second T20I will be played at the same venue on Thursday.
CricHubb Take
Ahmadzai’s rapid half-century shows Afghanistan now have middle-order options who can change the tempo even after early losses of wickets in T20Is.