ZIM vs AFG | Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-round show steers Afghanistan to clinical win in first T20I

‌Afghanistan started their three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe with a 53-run win at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday. Azmatullah Omarzai shone with his all-round performance, while Ibrahim Zadran and Mujeeb Ur Rahman also chipped in with significant contributions with bat and ball, respectively, in a clinical showing from the visitors.

After opting to bat, the Asian outfit had an electric start with the openers Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz adding 76 runs inside eight overs. Both batters hit six fours and a six as Zadran made 52 off 33, while Gurbaz scored an entertaining 25-ball 39. With both openers departing in the space of 20 balls, the visitors slid to 128/5 with more than five overs still to play. However, Azmatullah Omarzai (27) and Shahidullah’s (22) valuable stand of 32 runs for the sixth wicket in three overs helped them past the 150-run mark. With Rashid Khan also making a guest appearance, Afghanistan finished at a commendable 180/6 in their 20 overs. The hosts’ captain Sikandar Raza bowled an impressive spell of 3/20 in four overs, while Blessing Muzarabani picked up two.

Zimbabwe stumbled early in the chase, with four of the top five batters departing for single digits as the score read 25/4 inside three overs. Opener Brian Bennett, who struck three fours and a six during his cameo of 24 off 15 balls, was also dismissed in the powerplay as the home side were 35/5 after the six-over mark. The hosts would have been bowled out for a sub-100 score if not for valuable knocks lower down the order from Brad Evans (24) and Tinotenda Maposa. The latter hit five boundaries during his 15-ball 32 to take Zimbabwe to a respectable 127 before the innings ended with 23 balls to spare. Mystery spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman was Afghanistan’s top wicket taker in the game with a spell of 4/20 in three overs, while pacer Azmatullah Omarzai complemented his batting performance with figures of 3/29 in four overs.