Spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed four wickets while Azmatullah Omarzai took three wickets, helping Afghanistan secure a 53-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first match of a three-game Twenty20 series. The visiting team won the toss at Harare Sports Club, chose to bat first, and set a total of 180-6, with openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz making significant contributions with scores of 52 and 39, respectively.
Zimbabwe struggled in their response, plummeting to 30-5 within the first five overs and eventually getting dismissed for 127 runs, with lower-order batsman Tinotenda Maposa top-scoring with 32 runs.
Gurbaz, who hit a six and six boundaries, partnered with Zadran to add 76 runs for the opening wicket before getting caught off a delivery by Sikandar Raza. Zadran, on the other hand, was dismissed by Ryan Burl after a 33-ball innings that included a six and six fours.
Zimbabwe faced a tough start as three of their top five batsmen were out for ducks and one for just one run. Opener Brian Bennett was the standout performer for the team, scoring 24 runs off 15 balls with a six and three fours.
Despite some resistance from Brad Evans and Maposa, Mujeeb’s four-wicket haul and Omarzai’s three-wicket contribution proved crucial in restricting Zimbabwe’s total.
The two sides will clash again on Friday and Sunday in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup scheduled for February and March in India and Sri Lanka.
Brief scores:
Afghanistan 180-6, 20 overs (I. Zadran 52, R. Gurbaz 39; S. Raza 3-20)
Zimbabwe 127, 16.1 overs (T. Maposa 32; M. Ur Rahman 4-20, A. Omarzai 3-29)
Result: Afghanistan won by 53 runs
Series: Afghanistan lead 1-0 with two matches remaining
Toss: Afghanistan