Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 1st T20I Highlights: Ahmadzai, Rashid Guides Afghanistan to Convincing Victory

Afghanistan thumped Zimbabwe by 37 runs in the first T20I at Sharjah Cricket Stadium to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai starred with a quickfire half-century, while Rashid Khan’s late hitting helped Afghanistan post 177 in the first innings.

Talking about the match, Afghanistan were in trouble at 66/5 after Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza chose to bowl first. However, Ahmadzai turned things around with 52 off just 22 balls, hitting four sixes and four fours. He added 57 runs for the sixth wicket with Shahidullah, who scored 46 off 42 deliveries. Rashid Khan then struck 30 off 10 balls to push Afghanistan’s total higher towards the end.

Meanwhile, Newman Nyamhuri was Zimbabwe’s best bowler, taking four wickets for 31 runs, while Brad Evans and Ernest Masuku claimed two wickets each.

Coming out to chase the target, Zimbabwe struggled from the start and were bowled out for 140 in 19.1 overs. Ryan Burl top-scored with 32 off 24 balls, while Innocent Kaia made 24. Apart from them, Wessly Madhevere and Sikandar Raza added 17 runs each, but the rest of the batting order failed to offer much resistance.

From the bowling perspective, Fazalhaq Farooqi led the Afghan attack with figures of 3/13 in three overs. Besides him, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Azmatullah Omarzai took two wickets apiece to seal a comprehensive win in the series opener.

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