Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 37 runs in the first T20I in Sharjah. Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai’s rapid fifty rescued them from 66 for 5, Rashid Khan hit 30 off 10 balls and took 2 for 20, and Fazalhaq Farooqi’s 3 for 13 helped bowl Zimbabwe out for 140.
Sharjah, UAE: Afghanistan were five down for 66 on a slow, grippy pitch, and their innings looked headed for a modest total. Then Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai arrived. By the time Afghanistan were bowled out for 177 in 19.5 overs, he and Shahidullah Kamal had changed the match, and Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi finished the job.
Ahmadzai turns the innings
Afghanistan lost wickets early against a Zimbabwe attack that included debutant Ernest Masuku, who replaced the injured Blessing Muzarabani and took wickets in the powerplay. At 66 for 5, Ahmadzai walked in at No. 7 and hit a rapid half-century with four sixes and four fours. He and Shahidullah added a quick, match-changing stand, and Shahidullah’s patient 46 off 42 balls gave it a spine.
Rashid then struck 30 off 10 balls at the death to lift the total to 177. Newman Nyamhuri took 4 for 31 for Zimbabwe, with Brad Evans and Masuku also among the wickets, but the damage had been done.
Rashid and Farooqi close it out
Chasing 178, Zimbabwe were 38 for 1 after the powerplay and 56 for 3 midway through the chase before the innings fell away. Rashid removed Innocent Kaia and finished with 2 for 20. Farooqi was the best of the bowlers, taking 3 for 13 in 3.1 overs. Ryan Burl made 32 off 24 balls, the top score for Zimbabwe, but the chase ended in the 20th over when they were bowled out for 140.
Rashid was named Player of the Match. The result gave Afghanistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the second T20I at the same ground on 29 October.
Result: Afghanistan 177 (19.5 overs) bt Zimbabwe 140 (19.1 overs) by 37 runs, first T20I, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Tuesday 27 October 2026. Player of the Match: Rashid Khan.
