Zimbabwe let Afghanistan off the hook after fine start in Sharjah T20

Zimbabwe prised open a gap but could not keep it shut against Afghanistan. On Tuesday 27 October 2026 in Sharjah, the Chevrons limited their opponents to 66 runs for five wickets, only to watch them reach 177. Their own innings ended on 140, a defeat by 37 runs that leaves them trailing in this three-match T20 international series.

Runs are the points in cricket. Each side is allowed a maximum of twenty overs of six balls. Having chosen to bowl first, Zimbabwe had earned a strong position by dismissing half of the opposition batters. The second half of the Afghan innings changed the scale of the target.

Ahmadzai and Rashid spark the recovery

Ijaz Ahmadzai made 52, Shahidullah Kamal 46 and Rashid Khan 30. Those contributions took Afghanistan to 177 despite the loss of all ten wickets. For Zimbabwe, Newman Nyamhuri's four wickets for 31 runs conceded were not enough to contain the fightback.

The contrast between the first 66 runs and the final total sums up the turning point: Afghanistan added another 111 runs after the fifth wicket fell. Zimbabwe had taken the wickets needed to put the innings under pressure, but then had to chase a target of 178 to win.

Burl fights on, but the chase never ignites

Ryan Burl top-scored for Zimbabwe with 32, ahead of Innocent Kaia on 24. None of their batters reached 50. Wickets kept falling until the end of the innings, which closed on 140, leaving Zimbabwe short of the opposition total.

Fazalhaq Farooqi took three wickets for just 13 runs conceded. Rashid, who also claimed two wickets for 20 runs, was named player of the match. His bowling built on what he had contributed with the bat.

The series remains open: Afghanistan lead by one win to nil and the second T20 is scheduled for Thursday 29 October, again in Sharjah. Zimbabwe must win it to go into the third match with a chance of taking the series.