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RESULTT20I1st T20I · Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe
Afghanistan won by 37 runs
Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bowl
- Match
- Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, 1st T20I
- Date
- 27 Oct 2026 to 27 Oct 2026
- Start
- 20:00 IST · 14:30 GMT
- Venue
- Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
- Toss
- Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bowl
Venue guide
- Capacity
- 16,000
- Opened
- 1982
- Ends
- Pavilion End, Sharjah Club End
- Home to
- United Arab Emirates
- Floodlights
- Yes
Recent meetings
| Rashid KhanAfghanistan · All-rounder | 30 (10)Bat · R (B) | 14s | 46s | 300.0SR | c Wessly Madhevere b Newman NyamhuriOut | 4.0-0-20-2Bowl · O-M-R-W | 5.00Econ |
AFGAfghanistan 177 (19.5)
ZIMZimbabwe 140 (19.1)
RUNS PER OVER
SCORE BY OVER
Final overs
Full commentary- Afghanistan go 1-0 up in this three-match series. The 2nd game of the series is on the 29th. We will see you there. For now it's bye bye.
- Ibrahim 2/2: [On how Afghanistan can maintain motivation and avoid becoming complacent while continuing their outstanding performances across all three formats.] Yeah, it's really important. We always think every single game to think about Afghanistan, think about, you know, the team, how to take it forward and how to, you know, develop ourselves. The motivation is there, you know, with the guys, and we have been working on that. And you saw today again the quality is there, you know, the beauty of the players is there. This is what we have been doing, and yeah, one day, you know, we will be at the top.
- Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan captain 1/2: [On Afghanistan’s good start to the series, his initial preference to bowl first, and the conditions he encountered when his team had to bat.] Yeah, definitely the condition was a bit sticky, so we couldn't have, you know, a better start in the powerplay. Then we utilised in the middle overs, but the way Ijaz batted, you know, I'm giving credit to him. I've been watching him in the domestic cricket. He worked really hard on himself, and the way Rashid finished, it was brilliant. I can give credit to them. It was a brilliant show by them. And yeah, we could have put a good total on the board, and we just, you know, gave them some tough time. [On Afghanistan’s top order, including himself and Gurbaz, and how the team can improve its ability to recover after losing early wickets.] Yeah it's really important when you play international cricket, especially against the topest (top) team. So we have been working on that areas. We have been thinking how to improve our skills to develop and just think about small things to not put pressure on ourselves. The work has been going on there. Hopefully we're gonna sort out, you know, very soon and very quickly. Yeah, we already thought about it and we try to play better cricket.
- Raza 2/2: [On how he would motivate the team after losing the two ODIs against Afghanistan and prepare the players for the T20I series.] It was pretty clear. Listen, they've had the better of us in the two ODIs we have played. Listen, the conditions play a huge part as well, and I know we all struggle. So hopefully, after 10 days being in UAE now, we are better accustomed to these conditions. And we have had enough information on them. Hopefully, we have learned from what we have seen in the ODI and we can execute our plans slightly better. I thought we did that for the first part of the game, for majority of the game. But I think after 12 or 13 overs, they ran away with it and we didn't have an answer back. And hence, we were in a position where we were. And I think they had momentum on their side. When we came out to bat, to have 40, 50-odd runs after 44 balls between the top three when you're chasing 180, you're always behind the game and it's always trying to catch up. And that's something that has been happening for some time. [On the playing conditions and how the pitch compared with the surfaces used during the ODI series.] No, the surface had something for everyone. If you bat well, you can score runs. The seamers, if you hit the right areas, you get something. Spinners, if you bowl well as well, hit the five and six-metre length as well, there was enough tackiness. There was a little bit of turn, but at least there was a bit of stoppage. I thought the surface was good. But from where Afghanistan was, for us to let them off the hook and get them to 170-plus was criminal.
- Sikandar Raza | Zimbabwe captain 1/2: [On Zimbabwe’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss, their good start, and whether the team let Afghanistan recover because of poor fielding.] No, I thought the fielding was okay. I think it was the bowling department because I feel like once they start playing a few shots, and that has been the case for Zimbabwe for some time now, I find that our mental toughness sometimes is not there. Sometimes people start to swing and the plans go out the window. Sticking to the plan goes out the window, and then it's everywhere. Credit to the Afghan boys as well. I know they hit a few shots, they got lucky here and there as well. But for me, the biggest thing I was looking at is how strong we are mentally to still trust the plan. But it has been the case for some time. I think the last five overs was pretty painful to watch. [On the discussion at the halfway stage, when Afghanistan were around 60 for five, and Zimbabwe’s plans for the final 10 overs.] Yeah, we actually had a chat and we said the things that have been working has been if you hit the length hard, there's enough stickiness and there's enough from the length. Today is a great wicket where you don't have to search for too much and you do not have to do too much. Unfortunately, they had one or two good overs and after that, when the seamers came back on, it was everywhere. There was width, there were fuller deliveries. I mean, you can protect only one side of the boundary, but once you start getting hit all over the park, it becomes really difficult to captain and to captain the side. And I think it has been the case. We are always, you know, most of the time we are in a good position, but come to the death where we need some mental toughness. I feel like we lack there.
- Rashid 2/2: [On whether he feels extra pressure to deliver consistently with the ball and contribute to the team in every match.] Well, nothing much, you know, pressure. I feel like that's a kind of preparation I do as well while practicing that I make myself mentally ready for that. And I know the condition will be right there and there will be a time where team will needs (need) me in all three departments with the batting, bowling and fielding. And I have to put myself under pressure in the practice and as soon as I do well in the practice, it all goes back to the game. So nothing much, just making sure do the natural things and keep backing myself.
- Rashid Khan | Player of the Match 1/2: [On his outstanding all-round performance, scoring 30 runs and contributing with the ball, and his mindset when he walked out to bat after Afghanistan’s difficult start.] First of all, thanks to mighty Allah for the performance again. I feel like, you know, at that stage we were right behind the game. And I think when Ijaz went there and he started those runs and the scoreboard started running, I felt like when I went there, we had the same discussion. We have to minimize (maximise) it as much as possible and keep backing yourself and try to hit as straight as possible. And yeah, we just... simple plan, watch the ball and hit. [On Afghanistan’s batting performances in the one-day series and the T20 matches, and the discussions in the dressing room after the team struggled at the start.] Well, not much. I feel like, you know, in T20 we think like it's 20 overs, that's a lots of.... 120 balls. I feel like you still have lots of time in the middle to go there and read the condition and read the bowlers and target the bowlers specific. So I feel that is the area we need to improve if we want to be a better side and perform at very high level. I think those are the areas we need to improve and to adjust ourselves with the condition as soon as possible and to know what is the right score on a specific pitch. So we had the same discussion, you know, I think spending couple of overs there and then understanding your game, go accordingly is a good option. But for me it was very much clear. Last five overs, go there as hard as possible.
- Kamal 2/2: [On whether his all-round performances would make it difficult for the captain to leave him out of the playing XI.] Of course, it becomes difficult for the captain to leave you out when you are performing so well in every match. However, the final decision depends on the team and the squad, and the captain has to choose the best combination. My effort will always be to perform as well as I can in every match I play and prove myself for the team. Whenever I get an opportunity, I will give 100 per cent and do my best to contribute to the team's success.
- Shahidullah Kamal | Translated from Pashto 1/2: [On his all-round contribution of 46 valuable runs, two catches, and his overall impact on the match.] First of all, I thank Almighty Allah that I was able to perform for the benefit of the team. If you look at the situation, the team needed someone to bat through the innings and build a partnership. My objective was exactly that: to build the innings and stay at the crease for as long as possible. When wickets were falling, the captain wanted me to take responsibility and build the innings, and that is what I tried to do. Alhamdulillah, we were successful in putting together a good total on the board. We believed that the score we had posted would be enough, considering the quality of our bowling attack. In the field as well, I always try to work hard and contribute as much as possible to the team, whether with the bat, the ball or in the field. [On the stunning catch he took and whether he believed he would hold on to it.] Absolutely. If you are fit and mentally alert, you can take good catches. I always try to do whatever I can for the team and my country whenever I get the opportunity. I will continue to give my best and contribute in every possible way.
- 22:02 Local Time, 18:02 GMT, 23:32 IST: Smiling faces in the Afghani camp as Ibrahim and others come for the post-match handshakes. Disappointing batting effort by Zimbabwe who never got going. Both the openers struggled before getting out and the middle-order fared no better. Only Ryan Burl showed some intent but he had no support from the others. Just when he seemed to be set for an onslaught he fell to a stunning one-hander by Kamal at extra-cover. It was always difficult against the Afghani spinners in the middle-overs and Zimbabwe were always behind the asking rate. At the end, Omarzai got nice reverse-swing to help himself to wickets. Wonder what Sikandar Raza will say about this performance as usually he is quite open and honest in his thoughts. Stay tuned for the post-match stuff...
- Over 20 · 0 runs (W) · 1 wkt
- 19.1WFazalhaq Farooqi to Newman Nyamhuri, out Caught by Rashid Khan!! Easy win for Afghanistan as Ibrahim ruffles Fazalhaq Farooqi's hair in celebration. A slower-ball from round the wicket, the off-cutter, full outside off, Newman Nyamhuri gets forward to loft, right off the bottom of the bat and it goes straight up. Rashid settles under it at long-off and then lobs the ball to long-on. Newman Nyamhuri c Rashid Khan b Fazalhaq Farooqi 2(3)
- Fazalhaq Farooqi to Newman Nyamhuri, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
- Fazalhaq Farooqi [3.0-0-13-2] is back into the attack
- End of over 19 · 11 runs (wd 2 W W 1 1 6) · 2 wktZIM 140/9Wellington Masakadza 7(2) · Newman Nyamhuri 2(2) · Azmatullah Omarzai 4-0-39-2
- 18.66Azmatullah Omarzai to Wellington Masakadza, SIX, a bit late in the day for Zimbabwe but this is a good shot. Length delivery on middle and leg, angling into the left-hander, Wellington Masakadza uses the angle and flicks it over the deep backward square-leg fence
- 18.51Azmatullah Omarzai to Newman Nyamhuri, 1 run, full and shapes back in big on leg-stump, Newman Nyamhuri clears his front leg to flick it away to deep backward square-leg for one
- 18.41Azmatullah Omarzai to Wellington Masakadza, 1 run, no hat-trick. On a short of length on middle, Wellington Masakadza goes on the back foot and glances to fine-leg. Came round the wicket for this one did Azmatullah Omarzai
- Wellington Masakadza, left handed bat, comes to the crease
- 18.3WAzmatullah Omarzai to Masuku, out Bowled!! Cleaned up. When it's tailing like this, it's difficult for any batter. The ball reverses from a short of length and zips through the defences of Ernest Masuku. Hits off and middle. Azmatullah Omarzai on a hat-trick. Masuku b Azmatullah Omarzai 0(1)
- Azmatullah Omarzai to Masuku, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!
- Ernest Masuku, right handed bat, comes to the crease
- 18.2WAzmatullah Omarzai to Brad Evans, out Lbw!! Was this going down leg? Farooq Khan doesn't think so. He raise the finger. I see the replay and it's going down leg. Lots of tail back in on this full delivery and even impact seems to be outside leg. Brad Evans wants to heave and misses. Rapped on the pad and the plea from Azmatullah Omarzai is upheld by Farooq Khan. Must be said another poor decision. Brad Evans lbw b Azmatullah Omarzai 4(6)
- Azmatullah Omarzai to Brad Evans, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!
- 18.12Azmatullah Omarzai to Brad Evans, 2 runs, full and seam-up, tailing in a tad on off, Brad Evans gets forward to drive, the thick inside edge goes through mid-wicket. They take on the fielder and come back for a 2nd. Good running that
- 18.1wdAzmatullah Omarzai to Brad Evans, wide, slower-ball and well down leg, left alone to take the wide as Rahmanullah Gurbaz dives to his left to stop
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbazc Sikandar Raza b Wellington Masakadza | 18 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 85.7 |
| Ibrahim Zadranc Brian Bennett b Brad Evans | 5 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 83.3 |
| Sediqullah Atalc Tadiwanashe Marumani b Ernest Masuku | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.0 |
| Mohammad Akramlbw b Ernest Masuku | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 200.0 |
| Shahidullah Kamalc Ryan Burl b Newman Nyamhuri | 46 | 42 | 2 | 3 | 109.5 |
| Azmatullah Omarzaic & b Sikandar Raza | 7 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 87.5 |
| Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzaic Ryan Burl b Brad Evans | 52 | 22 | 4 | 4 | 236.4 |
| Rashid Khanc Wessly Madhevere b Newman Nyamhuri | 30 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 300.0 |
| Noor Ahmadc Brad Evans b Newman Nyamhuri | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 150.0 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahmanc Sikandar Raza b Newman Nyamhuri | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.0 |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi*not out | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
Extras6 (b 0, lb 0, w 6, nb 0)
Total177 (19.5 ov, RR 8.92)
Fall of wickets: 11-1 (Ibrahim Zadran, 1.5 ov), 14-2 (Sediqullah Atal, 2.4 ov), 18-3 (Mohammad Akram, 3.0 ov), 45-4 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 8.5 ov), 66-5 (Azmatullah Omarzai, 11.2 ov), 123-6 (Shahidullah Kamal, 16.1 ov), 156-7 (Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, 18.1 ov), 174-8 (Rashid Khan, 19.2 ov), 175-9 (Noor Ahmad, 19.4 ov), 177-10 (Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 19.5 ov)
| Bowler · ZIM | O | M | R | W | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newman Nyamhuri | 3.5 | 0 | 31 | 4 | 8.09 |
| Brad Evans | 4 | 0 | 34 | 2 | 8.50 |
| Ernest Masuku | 4 | 0 | 41 | 2 | 10.25 |
| Wellington Masakadza | 4 | 0 | 38 | 1 | 9.50 |
| Sikandar Raza | 4 | 0 | 33 | 1 | 8.25 |
Afghanistan- 1Rahmanullah Gurbaz(wk)Wicketkeeper
- 2Ibrahim Zadran(c)Batter
- 3Sediqullah AtalBatter
- 4Mohammad AkramBatter
- 5Azmatullah OmarzaiAll-rounder
- 6Ijaz Ahmad AhmadzaiAll-rounder
- 7Shahidullah KamalAll-rounder
- 8Rashid KhanAll-rounder
- 9Mujeeb Ur RahmanBowler
- 10Fazalhaq FarooqiBowler
- 11Noor AhmadBowler
Bench
Zimbabwe- 1Brian BennettAll-rounder
- 2Ben CurranBatter
- 3Innocent KaiaAll-rounder
- 4Sikandar Raza(c)All-rounder
- 5Tadiwanashe Marumani(wk)Wicketkeeper
- 6Ryan BurlAll-rounder
- 7Wessly MadhevereAll-rounder
- 8Brad EvansAll-rounder
- 9Newman NyamhuriBowler
- 10Wellington MasakadzaBowler
- 11Ernest MasukuBowler
Bench
- 19.1WFazalhaq Farooqi to Newman Nyamhuri, out Caught by Rashid Khan!! Easy win for Afghanistan as Ibrahim ruffles Fazalhaq Farooqi's hair in celebration. A slower-ball from round the wicket, the off-cutter, full outside off, Newman Nyamhuri gets forward to loft, right off the bottom of the bat and it goes straight up. Rashid settles under it at long-off and then lobs the ball to long-on. Newman Nyamhuri c Rashid Khan b Fazalhaq Farooqi 2(3)
- 18.66Azmatullah Omarzai to Wellington Masakadza, SIX, a bit late in the day for Zimbabwe but this is a good shot. Length delivery on middle and leg, angling into the left-hander, Wellington Masakadza uses the angle and flicks it over the deep backward square-leg fence
- 18.3WAzmatullah Omarzai to Masuku, out Bowled!! Cleaned up. When it's tailing like this, it's difficult for any batter. The ball reverses from a short of length and zips through the defences of Ernest Masuku. Hits off and middle. Azmatullah Omarzai on a hat-trick. Masuku b Azmatullah Omarzai 0(1)
- 18.2WAzmatullah Omarzai to Brad Evans, out Lbw!! Was this going down leg? Farooq Khan doesn't think so. He raise the finger. I see the replay and it's going down leg. Lots of tail back in on this full delivery and even impact seems to be outside leg. Brad Evans wants to heave and misses. Rapped on the pad and the plea from Azmatullah Omarzai is upheld by Farooq Khan. Must be said another poor decision. Brad Evans lbw b Azmatullah Omarzai 4(6)
- 17.4WShahidullah Kamal to Madhevere, out Caught by Sediqullah Atal!! Wessly Madhevere finds long-on and is disappointed. A flat length delivery on off, he goes on the back foot to pull and he needed to get a bit more elevation on that. Atal is right on the fence and he takes it. Madhevere c Sediqullah Atal b Shahidullah Kamal 17(8) [4s-1 6s-1]
- 17.26Shahidullah Kamal to Madhevere, SIX, tossed up full just outside off, Wessly Madhevere goes on the back foot and is deep in his crease, yet lofts this nicely and way back over long-on
- 16.54Fazalhaq Farooqi to Madhevere, FOUR, good batting. Wessly Madhevere turns into a left-hander and helps this away. Was a slower-ball on middle and leg, Madhevere gets it well wide of short third man
- 16.1WFazalhaq Farooqi to Ryan Burl, out Caught by Shahidullah Kamal!! What a fabulous catch and Fazalhaq Farooqi can't contain his smile as he tries to close his mouth with his hand. A slower-ball on a short of length outside off, Ryan Burl gets forward and absolutely hammered it. It's flying at the rate of knots to the left of extra-cover and Kamal pouches it with no fuss one-handed to his left. Made it look so easy as he throws the ball away in delight. The last hope for Zimbabwe departs. Replays show that Kamal moved and put out an outstretched left hand and the ball stuck. Ryan Burl c Shahidullah Kamal b Fazalhaq Farooqi 32(24) [6s-2]
- 15.2WRashid Khan to Tadiwanashe Marumani, out Lbw!! Given out LBW. But did that pitch in line? Looks like it didn't. Bad call from Ahmad Shah Pakteen as I see the replay. On a length outside leg-stump and Tadiwanashe Marumani wanted to swing it away, misses, rapped on the pads and the finger went up. No DRS here. Tadiwanashe Marumani lbw b Rashid Khan 7(6) [4s-1]
- 15.14Rashid Khan to Tadiwanashe Marumani, FOUR, smashed for four. It's on a flat good length outside off, Tadiwanashe Marumani goes on the back foot and deep in his crease to pull it hard and wide of the deep mid-wicket fielder
- 14.5OMilestoneAzmatullah Omarzai to Ryan Burl, 1 run, a direct-hit and Ryan Burl was gone. He is giggling about it after the throw misses. It's a length delivery outside off, Burl hacks it to long-on and he wanted two. Sent back and he just gave up. Luckily the throw misses
- 14.4OTeam milestoneAzmatullah Omarzai to Ryan Burl, 2 runs, slower-ball on a short of length outside off, Ryan Burl goes on the back foot and pulls wide of deep mid-wicket. Comes back for the 2nd
- 13.4WMujeeb Ur Rahman to Sikandar Raza, out Caught by Azmatullah Omarzai!! Mujeeb Ur Rahman has got Sikandar Raza to a juicy full-toss. It's on middle-stump and Raza's eyes probably lit up on seeing that. He wants to mow it over deep mid-wicket and totally loses all timing. Omarzai takes a simple catch at deep mid-wicket and just when Zimbabwe were building momentum, they have lost Raza. He walks back with a disappointed expression on his face. Sikandar Raza c Azmatullah Omarzai b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 17(13) [4s-1 6s-1]
- 13.24Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Sikandar Raza, FOUR, tossed up full outside off, Sikandar Raza gets forward and lofts over extra-cover. The width was there and Raza went through with the shot. Nearly all the way, one bounce over the ropes
- 13.16Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Sikandar Raza, SIX, full outside off, Sikandar Raza now gets into the act. He gets forward and lofts all the way over long-off. The fielder was there but Raza got it over
- 12.46Noor Ahmad to Ryan Burl, SIX, that's his hitting area. On a length and the googly on middle, spinning back in, Ryan Burl gets forward and thumps the heave flat over deep square leg. Second six of the over as Rashid has a chat with Noor
- 12.16Noor Ahmad to Ryan Burl, SIX, that's in the slot and Ryan Burl is a powerful striker of the ball. He gets forward and smashes it way back over wide long-on. Was full and Burl didn't hold back on the loft on off-stump
- 11.6DDropped catchRashid Khan to Ryan Burl, 1 run, did Farooqi get a hand on that? He runs and dives to his right at short third man. It's tossed up full outside off, Ryan Burl gets forward to heave, the thick outside edge loops and Farooqi went for it but couldn't hang on
- 9.4OMilestoneMujeeb Ur Rahman to Sikandar Raza, 1 run, direct-hit from Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Sikandar Raza was walking back. Length delivery on middle, nudged to the right of Mujeeb who is quick and gets to the ball. Turns around and fires at the bowler's end. Misses. Raza was struggling
- 9.3WMujeeb Ur Rahman to Brian Bennett, out Caught by Shahidullah Kamal!! Brian Bennett has holed out. Was in the slot and full on middle, Bennett should've put that away for six, he gets forward to loft and picks out Kamal at long-on who takes a well-judged two-hander over his head. Knew he was inside the cushions and made no mistake. Zimbabwe in big trouble now as drinks are taken. Brian Bennett c Shahidullah Kamal b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 13(18)
- 8.2OTeam fiftyNoor Ahmad to Ryan Burl, wide, fired down leg, Ryan Burl flicks and misses. Rahmanullah Gurbaz can't gather and short fine is there
- 7.6WRashid Khan to Innocent Kaia, out Bowled!! The struggle of Innocent Kaia against Rashid Khan is over. Rashid pointing at Rahmanullah Gurbaz in celebration. It's a sharp googly, pitches middle on a good length and spins back to beat the cut of Kaia. He was in no position to play that and was totally beaten. The ball lands on the stumps and Rashid strikes in his 2nd over. A top over apart from the boundary ball. Innocent Kaia b Rashid Khan 24(26) [4s-2 6s-1]
- 7.44Rashid Khan to Innocent Kaia, FOUR, Rashid Khan releases the pressure and he knows it. It's a drag-down on leg-stump, Innocent Kaia goes on the back foot and helps the pull, beats the dive of deep backward square-leg to his right. Welcome boundary that
- 4.3OMilestoneMujeeb Ur Rahman to Innocent Kaia, 2 runs, a direct-hit from Ijaz and he would've got Brian Bennett. Tucked wide of deep square leg and Ijaz was not far from hitting the stumps. Bennett was trying his best to slide the bat in. Ijaz cleverly went to the bowler's end
- 3.66Azmatullah Omarzai to Innocent Kaia, SIX, what a good pull shot. On the back foot and swivelling to get it over deep square leg. It's short outside off, he knows the fielder is there but still backs himself and ends the over on a high
- 3.44Azmatullah Omarzai to Innocent Kaia, FOUR, that's a poor delivery and put away. A low full-toss and sliding into the pads, Innocent Kaia gets forward and flicks well wide of deep square leg to his left
- 2.2WFazalhaq Farooqi to Ben Curran, out Caught by Azmatullah Omarzai!! Short ball ends Ben Curran's stay. He is already batting outside his crease but he is rushed by this one. It's outside off and he wants to pull off the front foot. It is totally mistimed and a simple catch to mid-wicket. Fazalhaq Farooqi has his first. Ben Curran c Azmatullah Omarzai b Fazalhaq Farooqi 7(8) [4s-1]
- 1.24Azmatullah Omarzai to Ben Curran, FOUR, short and sits up for Ben Curran outside off. He goes on the back foot and slams the pull wide of mid-on. Beats Ibrahim to his left
- Afghanistan go 1-0 up in this three-match series. The 2nd game of the series is on the 29th. We will see you there. For now it's bye bye.
- Ibrahim 2/2: [On how Afghanistan can maintain motivation and avoid becoming complacent while continuing their outstanding performances across all three formats.] Yeah, it's really important. We always think every single game to think about Afghanistan, think about, you know, the team, how to take it forward and how to, you know, develop ourselves. The motivation is there, you know, with the guys, and we have been working on that. And you saw today again the quality is there, you know, the beauty of the players is there. This is what we have been doing, and yeah, one day, you know, we will be at the top.
- Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan captain 1/2: [On Afghanistan’s good start to the series, his initial preference to bowl first, and the conditions he encountered when his team had to bat.] Yeah, definitely the condition was a bit sticky, so we couldn't have, you know, a better start in the powerplay. Then we utilised in the middle overs, but the way Ijaz batted, you know, I'm giving credit to him. I've been watching him in the domestic cricket. He worked really hard on himself, and the way Rashid finished, it was brilliant. I can give credit to them. It was a brilliant show by them. And yeah, we could have put a good total on the board, and we just, you know, gave them some tough time. [On Afghanistan’s top order, including himself and Gurbaz, and how the team can improve its ability to recover after losing early wickets.] Yeah it's really important when you play international cricket, especially against the topest (top) team. So we have been working on that areas. We have been thinking how to improve our skills to develop and just think about small things to not put pressure on ourselves. The work has been going on there. Hopefully we're gonna sort out, you know, very soon and very quickly. Yeah, we already thought about it and we try to play better cricket.
- Raza 2/2: [On how he would motivate the team after losing the two ODIs against Afghanistan and prepare the players for the T20I series.] It was pretty clear. Listen, they've had the better of us in the two ODIs we have played. Listen, the conditions play a huge part as well, and I know we all struggle. So hopefully, after 10 days being in UAE now, we are better accustomed to these conditions. And we have had enough information on them. Hopefully, we have learned from what we have seen in the ODI and we can execute our plans slightly better. I thought we did that for the first part of the game, for majority of the game. But I think after 12 or 13 overs, they ran away with it and we didn't have an answer back. And hence, we were in a position where we were. And I think they had momentum on their side. When we came out to bat, to have 40, 50-odd runs after 44 balls between the top three when you're chasing 180, you're always behind the game and it's always trying to catch up. And that's something that has been happening for some time. [On the playing conditions and how the pitch compared with the surfaces used during the ODI series.] No, the surface had something for everyone. If you bat well, you can score runs. The seamers, if you hit the right areas, you get something. Spinners, if you bowl well as well, hit the five and six-metre length as well, there was enough tackiness. There was a little bit of turn, but at least there was a bit of stoppage. I thought the surface was good. But from where Afghanistan was, for us to let them off the hook and get them to 170-plus was criminal.
- Sikandar Raza | Zimbabwe captain 1/2: [On Zimbabwe’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss, their good start, and whether the team let Afghanistan recover because of poor fielding.] No, I thought the fielding was okay. I think it was the bowling department because I feel like once they start playing a few shots, and that has been the case for Zimbabwe for some time now, I find that our mental toughness sometimes is not there. Sometimes people start to swing and the plans go out the window. Sticking to the plan goes out the window, and then it's everywhere. Credit to the Afghan boys as well. I know they hit a few shots, they got lucky here and there as well. But for me, the biggest thing I was looking at is how strong we are mentally to still trust the plan. But it has been the case for some time. I think the last five overs was pretty painful to watch. [On the discussion at the halfway stage, when Afghanistan were around 60 for five, and Zimbabwe’s plans for the final 10 overs.] Yeah, we actually had a chat and we said the things that have been working has been if you hit the length hard, there's enough stickiness and there's enough from the length. Today is a great wicket where you don't have to search for too much and you do not have to do too much. Unfortunately, they had one or two good overs and after that, when the seamers came back on, it was everywhere. There was width, there were fuller deliveries. I mean, you can protect only one side of the boundary, but once you start getting hit all over the park, it becomes really difficult to captain and to captain the side. And I think it has been the case. We are always, you know, most of the time we are in a good position, but come to the death where we need some mental toughness. I feel like we lack there.
- Rashid 2/2: [On whether he feels extra pressure to deliver consistently with the ball and contribute to the team in every match.] Well, nothing much, you know, pressure. I feel like that's a kind of preparation I do as well while practicing that I make myself mentally ready for that. And I know the condition will be right there and there will be a time where team will needs (need) me in all three departments with the batting, bowling and fielding. And I have to put myself under pressure in the practice and as soon as I do well in the practice, it all goes back to the game. So nothing much, just making sure do the natural things and keep backing myself.
- Rashid Khan | Player of the Match 1/2: [On his outstanding all-round performance, scoring 30 runs and contributing with the ball, and his mindset when he walked out to bat after Afghanistan’s difficult start.] First of all, thanks to mighty Allah for the performance again. I feel like, you know, at that stage we were right behind the game. And I think when Ijaz went there and he started those runs and the scoreboard started running, I felt like when I went there, we had the same discussion. We have to minimize (maximise) it as much as possible and keep backing yourself and try to hit as straight as possible. And yeah, we just... simple plan, watch the ball and hit. [On Afghanistan’s batting performances in the one-day series and the T20 matches, and the discussions in the dressing room after the team struggled at the start.] Well, not much. I feel like, you know, in T20 we think like it's 20 overs, that's a lots of.... 120 balls. I feel like you still have lots of time in the middle to go there and read the condition and read the bowlers and target the bowlers specific. So I feel that is the area we need to improve if we want to be a better side and perform at very high level. I think those are the areas we need to improve and to adjust ourselves with the condition as soon as possible and to know what is the right score on a specific pitch. So we had the same discussion, you know, I think spending couple of overs there and then understanding your game, go accordingly is a good option. But for me it was very much clear. Last five overs, go there as hard as possible.
- Kamal 2/2: [On whether his all-round performances would make it difficult for the captain to leave him out of the playing XI.] Of course, it becomes difficult for the captain to leave you out when you are performing so well in every match. However, the final decision depends on the team and the squad, and the captain has to choose the best combination. My effort will always be to perform as well as I can in every match I play and prove myself for the team. Whenever I get an opportunity, I will give 100 per cent and do my best to contribute to the team's success.
- Shahidullah Kamal | Translated from Pashto 1/2: [On his all-round contribution of 46 valuable runs, two catches, and his overall impact on the match.] First of all, I thank Almighty Allah that I was able to perform for the benefit of the team. If you look at the situation, the team needed someone to bat through the innings and build a partnership. My objective was exactly that: to build the innings and stay at the crease for as long as possible. When wickets were falling, the captain wanted me to take responsibility and build the innings, and that is what I tried to do. Alhamdulillah, we were successful in putting together a good total on the board. We believed that the score we had posted would be enough, considering the quality of our bowling attack. In the field as well, I always try to work hard and contribute as much as possible to the team, whether with the bat, the ball or in the field. [On the stunning catch he took and whether he believed he would hold on to it.] Absolutely. If you are fit and mentally alert, you can take good catches. I always try to do whatever I can for the team and my country whenever I get the opportunity. I will continue to give my best and contribute in every possible way.
- 22:02 Local Time, 18:02 GMT, 23:32 IST: Smiling faces in the Afghani camp as Ibrahim and others come for the post-match handshakes. Disappointing batting effort by Zimbabwe who never got going. Both the openers struggled before getting out and the middle-order fared no better. Only Ryan Burl showed some intent but he had no support from the others. Just when he seemed to be set for an onslaught he fell to a stunning one-hander by Kamal at extra-cover. It was always difficult against the Afghani spinners in the middle-overs and Zimbabwe were always behind the asking rate. At the end, Omarzai got nice reverse-swing to help himself to wickets. Wonder what Sikandar Raza will say about this performance as usually he is quite open and honest in his thoughts. Stay tuned for the post-match stuff...
- Over 20 · 0 runs (W) · 1 wkt
- 19.1WFazalhaq Farooqi to Newman Nyamhuri, out Caught by Rashid Khan!! Easy win for Afghanistan as Ibrahim ruffles Fazalhaq Farooqi's hair in celebration. A slower-ball from round the wicket, the off-cutter, full outside off, Newman Nyamhuri gets forward to loft, right off the bottom of the bat and it goes straight up. Rashid settles under it at long-off and then lobs the ball to long-on. Newman Nyamhuri c Rashid Khan b Fazalhaq Farooqi 2(3)
- Fazalhaq Farooqi to Newman Nyamhuri, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
- Fazalhaq Farooqi [3.0-0-13-2] is back into the attack
- End of over 19 · 11 runs (wd 2 W W 1 1 6) · 2 wktZIM 140/9Wellington Masakadza 7(2) · Newman Nyamhuri 2(2) · Azmatullah Omarzai 4-0-39-2
- 18.66Azmatullah Omarzai to Wellington Masakadza, SIX, a bit late in the day for Zimbabwe but this is a good shot. Length delivery on middle and leg, angling into the left-hander, Wellington Masakadza uses the angle and flicks it over the deep backward square-leg fence
- 18.51Azmatullah Omarzai to Newman Nyamhuri, 1 run, full and shapes back in big on leg-stump, Newman Nyamhuri clears his front leg to flick it away to deep backward square-leg for one
- 18.41Azmatullah Omarzai to Wellington Masakadza, 1 run, no hat-trick. On a short of length on middle, Wellington Masakadza goes on the back foot and glances to fine-leg. Came round the wicket for this one did Azmatullah Omarzai
- Wellington Masakadza, left handed bat, comes to the crease
- 18.3WAzmatullah Omarzai to Masuku, out Bowled!! Cleaned up. When it's tailing like this, it's difficult for any batter. The ball reverses from a short of length and zips through the defences of Ernest Masuku. Hits off and middle. Azmatullah Omarzai on a hat-trick. Masuku b Azmatullah Omarzai 0(1)
- Azmatullah Omarzai to Masuku, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!
- Ernest Masuku, right handed bat, comes to the crease
- 18.2WAzmatullah Omarzai to Brad Evans, out Lbw!! Was this going down leg? Farooq Khan doesn't think so. He raise the finger. I see the replay and it's going down leg. Lots of tail back in on this full delivery and even impact seems to be outside leg. Brad Evans wants to heave and misses. Rapped on the pad and the plea from Azmatullah Omarzai is upheld by Farooq Khan. Must be said another poor decision. Brad Evans lbw b Azmatullah Omarzai 4(6)
- Azmatullah Omarzai to Brad Evans, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!
- 18.12Azmatullah Omarzai to Brad Evans, 2 runs, full and seam-up, tailing in a tad on off, Brad Evans gets forward to drive, the thick inside edge goes through mid-wicket. They take on the fielder and come back for a 2nd. Good running that
- 18.1wdAzmatullah Omarzai to Brad Evans, wide, slower-ball and well down leg, left alone to take the wide as Rahmanullah Gurbaz dives to his left to stop
- Azmatullah Omarzai [3.0-0-28-0] is back into the attack
- End of over 18 · 12 runs (2 6 2 W 1 1) · 1 wktZIM 129/7Brad Evans 2(4) · Newman Nyamhuri 1(1) · Shahidullah Kamal 1-0-12-1
- 17.61Shahidullah Kamal to Brad Evans, 1 run, skiddy good length delivery just outside off, Brad Evans goes on the back foot and punches to sweeper cover
- 17.51Shahidullah Kamal to Newman Nyamhuri, 1 run, flat and wide length delivery outside off, Newman Nyamhuri gets forward to flay the drive to sweeper cover
- Newman Nyamhuri, right handed bat, comes to the crease
- 17.4WShahidullah Kamal to Madhevere, out Caught by Sediqullah Atal!! Wessly Madhevere finds long-on and is disappointed. A flat length delivery on off, he goes on the back foot to pull and he needed to get a bit more elevation on that. Atal is right on the fence and he takes it. Madhevere c Sediqullah Atal b Shahidullah Kamal 17(8) [4s-1 6s-1]
- Shahidullah Kamal to Madhevere, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
- 17.32Shahidullah Kamal to Madhevere, 2 runs, flat good length outside off, Wessly Madhevere reaches for it and lofts over extra-cover, comes back for the 2nd
- 17.26Shahidullah Kamal to Madhevere, SIX, tossed up full just outside off, Wessly Madhevere goes on the back foot and is deep in his crease, yet lofts this nicely and way back over long-on
- 17.12Shahidullah Kamal to Madhevere, 2 runs, short outside off, Wessly Madhevere belts the cut to sweeper cover and they come back for a 2nd. The throw comes to Shahidullah Kamal's end and Brad Evans is stretching to make it in. It's a flat powerful throw right on top of the stumps on the bounce. Has Evans made it back? Or is he short. The ball is collected cleanly by Kamal and he breaks the stumps. Touch and go and the decision goes in favor of Zimbabwe. Kamal broke the stumps with his arm with the ball in hand, then as he tried to touch the stumps with the ball, it slips out. By then Evans was in. The third ump has a few looks and goes with Evans
- Shahidullah Kamal, Left arm orthodox, comes into the attack
- End of over 17 · 6 runs (W 0 0 1 4 1) · 1 wktZIM 117/6Wessly Madhevere 7(4) · Brad Evans 1(3) · Fazalhaq Farooqi 3-0-13-2
- 16.61Fazalhaq Farooqi to Madhevere, 1 run, slower-ball on a short of length outside off, Wessly Madhevere goes on the back foot and cuts to backward point. They take a quick single
- 16.54Fazalhaq Farooqi to Madhevere, FOUR, good batting. Wessly Madhevere turns into a left-hander and helps this away. Was a slower-ball on middle and leg, Madhevere gets it well wide of short third man
- 16.41Fazalhaq Farooqi to Brad Evans, 1 run, from round the wicket. On a short of length on off, Brad Evans pulls and Rashid charges in from long-on to field on the bounce
- 16.3•Fazalhaq Farooqi to Brad Evans, no run, another slower-ball and on a good length on middle and off, Brad Evans gets forward to defend, it's off a thick leading-edge but doesn't carry back to Fazalhaq Farooqi
- 16.2•Fazalhaq Farooqi to Brad Evans, no run, slower-ball on a length outside off, cuts away, Brad Evans has no clue as he pushes at it and is beaten
- Brad Evans, right handed bat, comes to the crease
- 16.1WFazalhaq Farooqi to Ryan Burl, out Caught by Shahidullah Kamal!! What a fabulous catch and Fazalhaq Farooqi can't contain his smile as he tries to close his mouth with his hand. A slower-ball on a short of length outside off, Ryan Burl gets forward and absolutely hammered it. It's flying at the rate of knots to the left of extra-cover and Kamal pouches it with no fuss one-handed to his left. Made it look so easy as he throws the ball away in delight. The last hope for Zimbabwe departs. Replays show that Kamal moved and put out an outstretched left hand and the ball stuck. Ryan Burl c Shahidullah Kamal b Fazalhaq Farooqi 32(24) [6s-2]
- Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ryan Burl, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
- Fazalhaq Farooqi [2.0-0-7-1] is back into the attack
- End of over 16 · 8 runs (4 W 1 1 1 1) · 1 wktZIM 111/5Ryan Burl 32(23) · Wessly Madhevere 2(2) · Rashid Khan 4-0-20-2
- 15.61Rashid Khan to Ryan Burl, 1 run, on a good length on off, Ryan Burl goes on the back foot and taps it to the point area. Easy single
- 15.51Rashid Khan to Madhevere, 1 run, flat good length outside off, Wessly Madhevere backs away and cuts hard to deep point
- 15.41Rashid Khan to Ryan Burl, 1 run, flat good length just outside off, Ryan Burl goes on the back foot and pulls to long-on
- 15.31Rashid Khan to Madhevere, 1 run, bowled from 24-25 yards. The googly and Wessly Madhevere goes on the back foot to nudge it down to long-on to get off the mark
- Wessly Madhevere, right handed bat, comes to the crease
- 15.2WRashid Khan to Tadiwanashe Marumani, out Lbw!! Given out LBW. But did that pitch in line? Looks like it didn't. Bad call from Ahmad Shah Pakteen as I see the replay. On a length outside leg-stump and Tadiwanashe Marumani wanted to swing it away, misses, rapped on the pads and the finger went up. No DRS here. Tadiwanashe Marumani lbw b Rashid Khan 7(6) [4s-1]
- Rashid Khan to Tadiwanashe Marumani, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!
- 15.14Rashid Khan to Tadiwanashe Marumani, FOUR, smashed for four. It's on a flat good length outside off, Tadiwanashe Marumani goes on the back foot and deep in his crease to pull it hard and wide of the deep mid-wicket fielder
- Rashid Khan [3.0-0-12-1] is back into the attack
- End of over 15 · 7 runs (1 0 1 2 wd 1 1)ZIM 103/4Tadiwanashe Marumani 3(4) · Ryan Burl 30(21) · Azmatullah Omarzai 3-0-28-0
- 14.61Azmatullah Omarzai to Tadiwanashe Marumani, 1 run, yorker length outside off, Tadiwanashe Marumani opens the face of the bat and guides it to backward point. A quick single taken
- 14.51Azmatullah Omarzai to Ryan Burl, 1 run, a direct-hit and Ryan Burl was gone. He is giggling about it after the throw misses. It's a length delivery outside off, Burl hacks it to long-on and he wanted two. Sent back and he just gave up. Luckily the throw misses
- 14.5wdAzmatullah Omarzai to Ryan Burl, wide, way outside off, full and left alone for the wide
- 14.42Azmatullah Omarzai to Ryan Burl, 2 runs, slower-ball on a short of length outside off, Ryan Burl goes on the back foot and pulls wide of deep mid-wicket. Comes back for the 2nd
- 14.31Azmatullah Omarzai to Tadiwanashe Marumani, 1 run, another slower-ball and again the full one outside off, holds up on Tadiwanashe Marumani who gets forward to chip. Luckily mid-off is back or else Marumani was walking back to the middle
- 14.2•Azmatullah Omarzai to Tadiwanashe Marumani, no run, was it the slower-ball? May well have been. On a fuller length outside off, moves away, Tadiwanashe Marumani pushes at it and is beaten as it doesn't carry to Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- 14.11Azmatullah Omarzai to Ryan Burl, 1 run, full and wide outside off from round the wicket, Ryan Burl gets forward to drive to sweeper cover
- Azmatullah Omarzai [2.0-0-21-0] is back into the attack
- End of over 14 · 12 runs (6 4 0 W 1 1) · 1 wktZIM 96/4Ryan Burl 26(18) · Tadiwanashe Marumani 1(1) · Mujeeb Ur Rahman 4-0-27-2
- 13.61Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ryan Burl, 1 run, flat good length on middle and leg, Ryan Burl goes on the back foot and turns it to deep backward square-leg
- 13.51Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Tadiwanashe Marumani, 1 run, good length on middle, turns in, Tadiwanashe Marumani goes on the back foot and tucks it to deep mid-wicket
- Tadiwanashe Marumani, left handed bat, comes to the crease
- 13.4WMujeeb Ur Rahman to Sikandar Raza, out Caught by Azmatullah Omarzai!! Mujeeb Ur Rahman has got Sikandar Raza to a juicy full-toss. It's on middle-stump and Raza's eyes probably lit up on seeing that. He wants to mow it over deep mid-wicket and totally loses all timing. Omarzai takes a simple catch at deep mid-wicket and just when Zimbabwe were building momentum, they have lost Raza. He walks back with a disappointed expression on his face. Sikandar Raza c Azmatullah Omarzai b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 17(13) [4s-1 6s-1]
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Sikandar Raza, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
- 13.3•Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Sikandar Raza, no run, fired full and fast outside off, Sikandar Raza backs away to square-drive, misses. That was a fast delivery
- 13.24Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Sikandar Raza, FOUR, tossed up full outside off, Sikandar Raza gets forward and lofts over extra-cover. The width was there and Raza went through with the shot. Nearly all the way, one bounce over the ropes
- 13.16Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Sikandar Raza, SIX, full outside off, Sikandar Raza now gets into the act. He gets forward and lofts all the way over long-off. The fielder was there but Raza got it over
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman [3.0-0-15-1] is back into the attack
- End of over 13 · 16 runs (6 0 2 6 1 1)ZIM 84/3Sikandar Raza 7(9) · Ryan Burl 25(17) · Noor Ahmad 3-0-28-0
- 12.61Noor Ahmad to Sikandar Raza, 1 run, 16 off the over. Flat good length on middle and leg, Sikandar Raza goes on the back foot and tucks to deep mid-wicket. There's a fumble but they are happy with one
- 12.51Noor Ahmad to Ryan Burl, 1 run, flat back of a length on middle, Ryan Burl goes on the back foot and whips it to deep mid-wicket
- 12.46Noor Ahmad to Ryan Burl, SIX, that's his hitting area. On a length and the googly on middle, spinning back in, Ryan Burl gets forward and thumps the heave flat over deep square leg. Second six of the over as Rashid has a chat with Noor
- 12.32Noor Ahmad to Ryan Burl, 2 runs, just wide of Atal at long-off as he runs and dives to his right. It's tossed up full outside off, Ryan Burl gets forward to loft, slices it and gets away. Just falls beyond the sprawling dive and the outstretched right hand of Atal. He looks to have landed badly and is holding his right arm
- 12.2•Noor Ahmad to Ryan Burl, no run, the googly and it's a quicker one on middle and leg, Ryan Burl goes on the back foot to flick and the thick inside edge hits the leg and doesn't go far
- The ball is lost. They are searching for it in the stands. A break in play. A replacement ball is now being brought out.
- 12.16Noor Ahmad to Ryan Burl, SIX, that's in the slot and Ryan Burl is a powerful striker of the ball. He gets forward and smashes it way back over wide long-on. Was full and Burl didn't hold back on the loft on off-stump
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