Ahmadzai’s Counterattacking Fifty Sets Up Afghanistan’s Comfortable Win

Sharjah: On a pitch that made scoring look like hard labour, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai batted as though he had been transported to a different surface entirely. His 20-ball fifty lifted Afghanistan from a dire position and paved the way for a 37-run victory over Zimbabwe in the opening T20I of the three-match series.

6️⃣. 4️⃣. 4️⃣! 💥

Youngster Ijaz Ahmadzai steps up when it matters! ⚡

Delivering crucial shots to lead Afghanistan’s fightback! 🏏

#AFGvZIM | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam https://t.co/gR4GCoiwwM

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 27, 2026

Afghanistan had slumped to 66 for 5 in the 12th over when Ahmadzai arrived at the crease. The pitch was slow and grippy, offering no pace for the strokeplayers and demanding patience from those willing to grind. Ahmadzai declined the invitation. He stepped down the track, used lofted shots through the V and employed sweeps to both sides of the ground, taking the conditions out of the equation altogether.

His partnership with Shahidullah, who compiled a patient 46 off 42, produced 61 runs in just 4.5 overs. That acceleration transformed Afghanistan’s innings. Rashid Khan then supplied the finishing touches with an unorthodox cameo of 30 off 10 deliveries, including a single four and four sixes. One wristy slice off Brad Evans in the 19th over drew a smile and a thumbs-up from the bowler himself.

Afghanistan were bowled out with one ball to spare, but their 177 proved more than sufficient. Rashid’s dismissal, caught by Wessly Madhevere at midwicket off Newman Nyamhuri, came with four balls remaining. Nyamhuri finished with 4 for 31, the pick of Zimbabwe’s bowlers.

Masuku Makes an Impression

Zimbabwe’s innings had begun with promise, courtesy of debutant Ernest Masuku. The 33-year-old, playing in place of the injured Blessing Muzarabani, struck twice in the powerplay with back-of-a-length deliveries and an awkward angle off the surface. He had Sediqullah Atal edging behind, then trapped Mohammad Akram on the pads. Replays suggested the ball might have been flying over the stumps, but with no DRS available, Akram had to depart.

Brad Evans had earlier removed Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran, continuing a lean start to his T20I captaincy, while Sikander Raza produced a stunning catch at extra cover to dismiss Rahmanullah Gurbaz off Wellington Mazakadza in the ninth over. Raza then bowled Azmatullah Omarzai three overs later, the batter misreading a googly and chipping the ball back.

Rashid and Farooqi Close the Door

Zimbabwe’s chase never found the fluency Afghanistan had discovered through Ahmadzai. They lost just one wicket in the powerplay, Ben Curran slogging across the line to midwicket off Fazalhaq Farooqi in the third over, but ended it on only 38 for 1.

Rashid, in a rare departure from convention, bowled the final over of the powerplay rather than waiting until after it. He conceded just three runs and was already extracting a turn. In the eighth over, he set up Innocent Kaia with googly after googly, the last of which sliced past a cut attempt and knocked back the stumps.

6️⃣. 6️⃣. 6️⃣. 6️⃣! 💥🔥

Just Rashid Khan things! 🦁

#AfghanAtalan | #AFGvZIM | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam https://t.co/WeuDMWF0Mu

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) October 27, 2026

Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who finished with 2 for 27, removed Brian Bennett and Raza, the latter caught in the deep attempting a slog sweep. Rashid returned to pin Tadiwanashe Marumani lbw, his 199th T20I wicket. Ryan Burl top-scored with 32 off 24 before falling to a third spectacular catch of the night, Shahidullah taking a diving effort at cover off Farooqi in the 17th over.

Shahidullah then took out Wessly Madhevere in his sole over. In the final over, Farooqi pitched a full delivery outside off, Nyamhuri slogged it towards Rashid, and the catch was secured. Zimbabwe were all out for 140, handing Afghanistan their sixth consecutive T20I win against them and a 20-2 record in the format.

                                               

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