Afghanistan 177 all out (19.5 overs): Ahmadzai 52, Kamal 46; Nyamhuri 4-31

Zimbabwe 140 all out (19.1 overs): Burl 32; Farooqi 3-13

Afghanistan won by 37 runs

Newman Nyamhuri took the best T20 International figures of his career, 4/31, but Zimbabwe still lost the opening game of their T20I series against Afghanistan by 37 runs at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Zimbabwe chose to field and made a strong start. Bradley Evans, debutant Ernest Masuku and Wellington Masakadza reduced Afghanistan to 18-3 inside three overs, and Sikandar Raza’s side had the visitors at 66-5 in the 12th over.

Masuku got two in the same over by the way.

Shahidullah Kamal then rebuilt with 46, and Ijaz Ahmed Ahmadzai blasted 52 from only 22 balls, with four fours and four sixes. Nyamhuri finished the job with the late wickets of Kamal, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, but Afghanistan still reached 177 after Rashid struck 30 from 10 balls.

Zimbabwe’s reply followed a worrying script. Ben Curran and Innocent Kaia fell cheaply and Brian Bennett was out at 56-3. Ryan Burl hit 32 from 24 balls and Raza made 17 before falling at 94-4, but the innings fell away.

Fazal Haq Farooqi took 3/13 and Rashid claimed 2/20 as Zimbabwe lost their last six wickets for 46 runs. They were bowled out in 19.1 overs.

Subscribe to Blog via Email