Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, AFG in ZIM, 3 T20Is, 2025 Oct 29 Full score card

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! DONE AND DUSTED! Abdullah Ahmadzai hurls it on a length and bowls it from wide of the crease to create an inward angle. Pitches it up and keeps the line around middle. The ball keeps coming back and cramps the batter. Blessing Muzarabani tries to get away from it as he hangs his bat in front, but gets a bit late. The ball beats the inside edge of the bat, brushes his front pad and crashes into the middle stump. Afghanistan win the first T20I by 53 runs.

On the fuller side, around leg, Blessing Muzarabani nudges it to deep square leg for a single.

OUT! TAKEN! Tossed up by Mujeeb Ur Rahman, on middle and off. Tinotenda Maposa gets down on one knee, looking for a slog sweep. The ball catches the top edge, and the ball loops high up in the sky to the right of the keeper. Gurbaz makes no mistake in catching it safely in his gloves. Zimbabwe lose their ninth wicket, and Blessing Muzarabani stepped on the field as the last man.

Pitches it up, around leg. Richard Ngarava flicks it wide of long on for a couple of runs.

Streaky! Fuller, pitches it just outside off and spins it in. Richard Ngarava looks to drive but the ball catches the inner edge to zip past the leg pole and beats the short fine leg fielder for four runs.

Richard Ngarava walks out next to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! A dangerously looking partnership has come to an end, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman gets his third wicket! He pitches it up, on off and middle, angling in. Brad Evans looks to flick it, but closes his willow a bit early. The ball hits the leading edge, and the ball flies straight to the bowler, where Rahman does well to hold his composure and reverse scoop it near his stomach.

Short, on middle. Brad Evans tucks it toward long on and gets a brace.

Short, outside off. Tinotenda Maposa punches it toward deep cover for a couple of runs. A 50-run partnership is up between these two batters!

FOUR! Runs are coming thick and fast for Zimbabwe! Back of a length, outside off. Tinotenda Maposa slaps it to the left of the sweeper cover. The fielder has a chase toward the rolling ball and uses his feet to save the boundary, but the momentum of the ball helps the chevrons to hit the boundary ropes.

Slower, full and outside off. Tinotenda Maposa tries to hit it across the line but misses.

Lands it full and around off, does Omarzai. Tinotenda Maposa clears his front leg away and tries to slog it. But he ends up mistiming it off the toe end of the bat and the ball goes towards long off. Mohammad Nabi runs across to his left there but as he sees the ball going over his head, he tries to go back, but the ball lands short of him and goes over his extended right hand. Two runs taken.

Fuller, down the leg side. Brad Evans clips it toward square leg for a single.

Short, on middle and leg. Brad Evans pulls it wide of long on for a brace.

FOUR! Just over the fielder! Good-length delivery, around off. Tinotenda Maposa slaps it uppishly. The ball flies flat and sails just over the head of the fielder, patrolling wide long off. He was placed much shorter from the boundary line, therefore, the ball loops over him and bounces just inside the field of play and hits the fence.

Pitches it up, on middle and leg. Tinotenda Maposa heaves it to the left of the long on fielder and gets a brace.

Slower and on a length, just outside off. Brad Evans pokes it toward the off side for a single.

On a length, on off. Tinotenda Maposa stabs it to point for one.

FOUR! CRACKED! Short and outside off. Tinotenda Maposa slaps it wide of the cover fielder to get four more runs.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Fareed Ahmad pitches it up, much fuller, just behind the yorker length, on off and middle. Tinotenda Maposa jams it just toward the left of the ball. The ball somehow bumped on the crease and flew toward the long off fence for a boundary.

Fullish, outside off. Tinotenda Maposa attempts to lash it through cover, but gets the inner edge and the ball rolls to the right of the short fine leg fielder for one run.

Flat and fuller, on off. Brad Evans swats it to long on for a single.

Full, on off. Brad Evans pushes it to cover.

Much fuller, on off. Tinotenda Maposa jams it wide of cover for a single.

FOUR! Muscles it away! Pitches it up, just outside off, does Kamal. Tinotenda Maposa heaves it across the line to the left of the wide long on fielder for four more runs.

Pitches it up, on off. Tinotenda Maposa punches it from the inner part of his bat toward the right of mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Fuller, on off. Brad Evans pushes it to cover.

Pitches it up, on off. Brad Evans eases it back to the bowler.

Full, on off. Brad Evans blocks it from the crease.

FOUR! STREAKY! Full and around off, Brad Evans gets down on one knee and goes across to paddle it. Gets a top edge that goes over the keeper. The ball races away to deep fine leg for a boundary.

Floated up, full and around off, pushed down to long off for a single by Maposa.

On the shorter side, around off, Brad rocks back and knocks it down to long on for a single.

Short and around middle, tucked away to deep square leg for a single off the back foot.

Nagging length and around off, Brad Evans presses back and nudges it to the left of backward square leg for a couple of runs.

FOUR! SHOT! On the shorter side and around off, Brad Evans goes deep in his crease and guides it to the left of backward point for a boundary.

Dragged back length and around middle, Evans swats it to the right of long on for two runs.

Tinotenda Maposa is the new batter in.

OUT! TASHINGA MUSEKIWA IS RUN OUT! Another one bites the dust! Shahidullah Kamal drags his length back once again, just outside off. Tashinga Musekiwa hangs back and opens the face of his bat to slice it. The ball bounces toward the right of the short third fielder. Abdullah Ahmadzai dives to his left from backward point and makes a stop. Brad Evans calls for a single, but Musekiwa responds late. Abdullah Ahmadzai throws it toward the non-striker's end and hits the stumps directly. Musekiwa shows some lazy running and reaches his home late. After reviewing upstairs, the big screen turns red.

Short, outside off. Tashinga Musekiwa hangs back and attempts to chop it but misses.

Short, outside off. Tashinga Musekiwa cuts it to sweeper cover for one.

Fuller, on off. Tashinga Musekiwa pushes it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Shot of authority! Rashid Khan delivers it fuller, on middle and leg. Tashinga Musekiwa makes room for himself and punches it uppishly to the left of the long on fielder for a boundary.

Short, on off. Brad Evans nudges it across the line wide of mid-wicket for one.

Rashid Khan drags his length back, just outside off. Brad Evans looks to poke at it but misses on the outer edge.

Pitches it up, on off. Tashinga Musekiwa flicks it to long on for one.

Short, on middle. Brad Evans rocks back and nudges it wide of mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Brad Evans walks in next to bat.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Abdullah Ahmadzai gets his name written on the wicket list! He pitches it up, outside off, around the seventh stump. Tony Munyonga looks to offer a drive at it, but gets the inner edge, and the ball hits the off stump. That's a soft and a bit unfortunate dismissal for Tony Munyonga! Zimbabwe are six down.

FOUR! TOP SHOT! Short of a length, on middle. Tony Munyonga pulls it firmly toward the deep mid-wicket fence and gets four more runs.

Fuller, outside off. Tashinga Musekiwa pushes it to long off for a single.

Back of a length, just outside off. Tony Munyonga steers it wide of deep third for a couple of runs. The fielder in the region gets across to his right, picks it up, and throws it toward Gurbaz at the striker's end, where he tries to backflick it to the stumps, but misses, and the batter gets the opportunity to get another run.

FOUR! STREAKY! Abdullah Ahmadzai steams from over the wicket and bowls on the fuller length, on middle and leg, angling it in sharply. Tony Munyonga looks for a forward defence, but he's late to bring his bat down. The ball connects the inside edge and zips past the stumps, and rolls toward the deep fine leg fence for a boundary.

On a length, just outside off. Tashinga Musekiwa cuts it to backward point for no run.

Short, on off. Tony Munyonga pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slower bouncer, on off. Tashinga Musekiwa pulls it across the line through mid-wicket. The fielder charges from deep mid-wicket and tries one-handed pick up and throw, but fumbles and fails to get it first time. Meanwhile, the batter gets three runs between the sticks.

Good-length delivery, angling it in, on off. Tony Munyonga pushes it to long on for a single.

Full, on middle, shapes it in. Tashinga Musekiwa camps back and tucks it to wide of mid-wicket for a single.

On a length, outside off. Tashinga Musekiwa attempts a drive but misses.

Slower, on a length, outside off. Tashinga Musekiwa pulls it to long on for one.

Bouncer, just outside off. Tashinga Musekiwa leaves it away.

FOUR! SHOT! Pitches it up, on off. Tashinga Musekiwa leans on the delivery and drills it straight to the bowler. Ahmadzai fails to stop it, and the ball rolls away straight downtown for a boundary.

Short, on off. Tashinga Musekiwa dabs it away.

Fullish, on off. Tony Munyonga gets forward and defends it wide of cover for a quick single.

Abdullah Ahmadzai bends his back and bowls a bumper, on middle. Tony Munyonga at first tries to pull it away, but the ball rises big to him and therefore he opts to leave it to the keeper.

Full-length delivery, just outside off. Tashinga Musekiwa eases it to the cover fielder.

Quick single taken! Pitches it up, on off. Tony Munyonga drives it with soft hands toward mid off and scoots to take the single.

Hard-length delivery, on off. Tony Munyonga hangs back and pushes it to cover.

Pitches it up, around off, does Ahmad. Tony Munyonga comes forward and drives it to cover point.

Short of a good length and around off, Tony tries to pull but misses as the ball keeps a bit low. He misses his shot and wears it high on his back thighpad.

FOUR! Good shot! Hard length and around middle, Tony Munyonga presses back and pulls it hard towards deep square leg for a boundary.

Tashinga Musekiwa walks in next to bat.

OUT! TAKEN! Zimbabwe are five down and they are in a precarious position. On a good length and around off, skidding through. Brian Bennett seems to be caught in two minds and gets stuck in his crease. He tries to slog across but gets deceived as the ball is a slower one. Ends up miscuing it towards mid on where Rashid Khan moves to his left and pouches it around his knee.

Nagging length and around off, dabbed down to cover off the back foot.

Short, on off, Brian Bennett pushes it to point.

On the shorter side, around off, Brian mistimes his pull shot to mid-wicket.

A yorker, around off, Tony Munyonga pushes it towards mid on where the fielder gets to ball quickly to his left and fires a direct at the batter's end. The ball gets deflected beside the pitch on the leg side and the batters sneak a run.

Back of a length, on off, Brian Bennett steers it to short third for a single.

In-between length, around off, nudged away towards backward square leg off the front foot.

Keeps it shorter, around off, does Mujeeb. Tony gets forward and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Much shorter, around leg, Tony Munyonga presses back and tries to pull but misses. Gets hit above his kneeroll.

A bit shorter, around off, Tony Munyonga tries to defend it but gets an inside edge.

On a length, on leg. Brian Bennett flicks it wide of the fine leg fielder and gets a single.

Short, on middle and leg. Brian Bennett pulls it wide of short fine and gets a brace.

On a length, just outside off. Tony Munyonga defends it to backward point.

OUT! TAKEN! Azmatullah Omarzai gets his second wicket! Back of a length, on middle and leg. Ryan Burl hangs back and looks to flick it to square leg, but unfortunately gets an outside edge. The ball skies toward short fine leg. It's Gurbaz once again who takes matters into his hands as he calls 'leave' to the catch and gets the job done by catching it around his chest.

On a length, around off. Ryan Burl pushes it to cover.

OUT! CAUGHT Azmatullah Omarzai joins the party now! This one is a slower, back of a length, on middle. Sikandar Raza pulls it uppishly but fails to understand the change of pace by the bowler. The ball loops straight toward the deep square leg region, where the dubutant, Shahidullah Kamal, bends a bit forward and catches it safely into his palms.

Ryan Burl comes out to the middle.

Wide! Short, on off and middle, but it sails over the helmet of the batter. The umpire signals wide.

Back of a length, on off. Sikandar Raza gets behind the line and blocks it down.

Back of a length, just outside off. Sikandar Raza pushes it to cover.

Short, on off. Brian Bennett eases it toward the left of the bowler.

SIX! BOOM! Pitches it up, on off and middle. Brian Bennett clears his front foot and swats it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a half a dozen.

Short, on off. Sikandar Raza pushes it wide of cover for one.

OUT! IN THE AIR... TAKEN! Mujeeb Ur Rahman strikes back and in no matter of time, Zimbabwe are down two batter down! Pitches it up, around off, does Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Brendan Taylor hangs back and looks to heave it across the line as the fielder in the mid-wicket region is inside the inner circle. The ball hits the upper part of his bat and loops toward the point region. Actually, it was a bit near to the wicket.. Rahmanullah Gurbaz does well to judge the skier and gloves it in near his chest.

Sikandar Raza walks up to the middle.

WIDE! Fuller, darts it down the side. Brendan Taylor fails to connect the flick and gets the bonus run.

Brendan Taylor is the new man in.

OUT! LBW! Huge shout for LBW and up goes the finger of the umpire! Mujeeb Ur Rahman gets the first breakthrough! He bowls it fuller, pitching it on middle and angles it in, toward the leg stump. Tadiwanashe Marumani gets down on one knee, looking for a sweep, but misses on the inner edge and hits the pad. Tadiwanashe Marumani, though, has a chat with his partner but doesn't review and walks back.

Fuller, on middle and leg. Tadiwanashe Marumani nudges it to mid-wicket.

Wide! Fuller, spraying it down the leg side. Tadiwanashe Marumani looks to sweep it away but fails to connect.

Who will operate from the other end? Mujeeb Ur Rahman it is!

On a length outside off. Brian Bennett pushes it wide of the cover fielder and gets a brace.

FOUR! Classic! Pitches it up, just outside off. Brian Bennett plants his front foot toward the delivery and punches it uppishly wide of the mid off fielder and gets four more runs added into the account.

WIDE! Back of a length, but sprays it down the leg. Brian Bennett misses his swipe and gets a bonus run.

On a length, just outside off. Brian Bennett pushes it to cover.

FOUR! SHOT! Brian Bennett is looking confident with the willow! Short, outside off. Brian Bennett slaps it to the right of the chasing deep point fielder for another boundary.

Fuller, on off. Brian Bennett looks to push it away but gets nicked on the inside edge and hits his own pad.

FOUR! What a way to start the inning! Hard-length delivery, shaping it in, around the hips of the batter. Brian Bennett rocks back and tucks it uppishly toward deep backward square leg for the first boundary of the inning.

SIX! Rashid Khan finishes off in style! What a way to end the innings. Short, on off, Rashid Khan stays in his crease and pulls it elegantly over square leg for a biggie. Afghanistan end their innings at 180/6!

Much fuller, on off, Shahidullah Kamal knocks it towards mid on for a single.

Back of a length, on off, Rashid Khan looks to slap it but gets a bottom edge. The ball rolls through the left of the keeper towards fine leg. The batters collect a single.

Play and a miss! Back of a length, outside off, and slower too. Rashid Khan swings hard but misses.

Too full, on leg, Shahidullah Kamal digs it towards mid on for a single.

FOUR! Excellent way to start the final over! On a length, on off, Shahidullah Kamal moves to his left and pulls it magnificently through square leg for a boundary.

Hard length, outside off, and it keeps a tad low. Rashid Khan tries to slap it but misses.

On a length, down the leg side, Shahidullah Kamal looks to flick it, but the ball hits his pads and rolls towards the right of the keeper. The keeper comes forward and kicks the ball towards the stumps, but misses it. The ball rolls towards mid off as the batters collect a leg bye.

FOUR! Top shot from Shahidullah Kamal! On a length, on middle, Shahidullah Kamal moves forward and pulls it powerfully through backward square leg for a boundary.

Slower one, outside off, Rashid Khan flat bats it towards long off for a single.

Wide! A wayward bouncer, on off, Rashid Khan leaves. Wided.

The skipper, Rashid Khan walks in.

OUT! TAKEN! Brad Evans strikes. Slower ball does the trick. On a length, on off, and slower too. Azmatullah Omarzai hangs back and looks to loft it but gets a top edge. The ball lobs in the air towards long off. Ryan Burl settles under it and completes the catch.

Keeps it full and outside off, Shahidullah Kamal pushes it towards mid off for a single.

Back of a length, on leg, Azmatullah Omarzai pulls it on the bounce towards deep square leg for a brace.

NO BALL AND FOUR! A high full toss, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai uses the pace of the ball and helps it through the right of the keeper for a boundary. Also, it's a no ball for height. Free Hit coming up...

Short ball, on leg, Azmatullah Omarzai looks to slap it but misses.

Slower one, outside off, Shahidullah Kamal pushes it towards backward point for a single.

Length again, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai drives it through covers for a single.

On a length, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai punches it through covers for a brace. 150 comes up for Afghanistan.

SIX! Excellent from Azmatullah Omarzai! On a length, on middle and leg, Azmatullah Omarzai uses his feet and plunders it over long on as the ball sails into the stands.

FOUR! Top shot from Shahidullah Kamal! On a length, on leg, Shahidullah Kamal uses the pace of the ball and tickles it through fine leg for a boundary.

Short, on off, slower too. Shahidullah Kamal ducks under it.

FOUR! A much-needed boundary! On a length, on middle and leg, Shahidullah Kamal swivels and pulls it powerfully through square leg for a boundary.

On a length, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai knocks it through mid on for a single.

Goes fuller, outside off, Sharafuddin Ashraf taps it towards cover for a single.

Back of a length, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai punches it to cover for a single.

Wide! Down the leg side, Azmatullah Omarzai leaves it alone.

Length again, just outside off, Shahidullah Kamal stays back and taps it to the mid off fielder.

Hard length, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai pushes it to cover for a quick single.

Much fuller, outside off, Shahidullah Kamal pushes it to point for a single.

Shahidullah Kamal walks in.

OUT! LBW! Blessing Muzarabani gets a crucial wicket. On a length, on middle and leg, Mohammad Nabi gets cramped for room and he looks to flick it. Misses it completely as the ball hits his pads and rolls towards the right of the keeper. There is a loud appeal and the finger goes up straightaway. Mohammad Nabi departs without scoring a run.

On a length, on off, Mohammad Nabi blocks it back towards the bowler.

Mohammad Nabi is the new batter.

OUT! TAKEN! A fantastic catch form Tony Munyonga. Back of a length, on middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal stays back and looks to pull it but mistimes his stroke. The ball carries towards deep square leg. Tony Munyonga runs to his right and takes an excellent low catch.

Much fuller, on off, Sediqullah Atal knocks it down the ground for a single.

Lands it down leg, Azmatullah Omarzai looks to flick it but the ball hits his pads and rolls towards fine leg. They collect a leg bye.

On a length, on middle and leg, Azmatullah Omarzai flicks it through square leg for a brace. Excellent running between the wickets.

Much fuller, on leg, Sediqullah Atal flicks it towards fine leg for a single.

SIX! That will ease the pressure. A much-needed biggie. Back of a length, on middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal swivels and pulls it powerfully over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Back of a length, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai punches it through cover for a single.

Keeps it full, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai drags it through mid-wicket for a single.

Too full, on leg, Sediqullah Atal digs it through mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter, on leg, Azmatullah Omarzai chips it on the bounce towards mid on for a single.

Much fuller, outside off, Sediqullah Atal digs it towards cover for a single.

Quicker, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai steers it to backward point for a single.

Flatter, on leg, Sediqullah Atal flicks it to wide of mid on for a single.

Too full, on off, Sediqullah Atal pushes it to mid off for a single.

Flatter, outside off, Sediqullah Atal moves forward and chips it over mid off for a brace.

Short ball, on leg, Azmatullah Omarzai flicks it to mid on for a single.

Flatter, outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai slaps it towards the fielder at point.

Keeps it full, on middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai digs it towards mid off for a single.

Short ball, on off, Sediqullah Atal punches it towards point.

Quicker, on off, Sediqullah Atal blocks it towards the fielder at short third.

Too full, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai pushes it towards mid off for a single.

Too full, on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai blocks it to the right of the keeper.

Azmatullah Omarzai walks in to face the hat-trick ball.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Back-to-back wickets from Sikandar Raza. Flatter, down the leg side, Darwish Rasooli looks to flick it but gets a leading edge. The ball lobs backward towards the right of Sikandar Raza, who makes no mistake. Sikandar Raza is on a hattrick now!

Darwish Rasooli walks in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Sikandar Raza gets another wicket. Flatter, on middle and leg, and it keeps a tad low. Ibrahim Zadran moves forward and looks to heave it but the ball hits the toe end of his bat. It carries towards deep mid-wicket. Ryan Burl settles under it and completes the catch.

Much fuller, on off, Ibrahim Zadran taps it to cover for a single.

FOUR! Fifty up for Ibrahim Zadran! Much fuller, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran stays in his crease and drives it magnificently through covers for a boundary. 100 comes up for Afghanistan as well.

Too full, on off, Sediqullah Atal chips it over the right of the bowler for a single. Ryan Burl tried to take the catch but couldn't reach out to it.

Short, on off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it towards cover for a single.

FOUR! Top shot from Ibrahim Zadran! Keeps it full and outside off, Ibrahim Zadran slashes it through backward point. The misfield results in a boundary.

Ryan Burl comes into the attack and bowls it on middle, Ibrahim Zadran flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace.

Quicker, on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Keeps it full, outside off, Sediqullah Atal taps it towards cover for a single.

Flatter, on off, Sediqullah Atal pushes it to cover.

FOUR! Top shot from Sediqullah Atal! Flatter, on middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal uses his feet and drills it over mid on for a boundary.

Short, on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran flicks it to wide of mid on for a single.

Slower one, on middle, Sediqullah Atal taps it to mid on for a single.

On a length, on leg, Sediqullah Atal turns it to square leg for a single.

Sways it down the leg side, Sediqullah Atal tries to flick it but misses. A stifled appeal for caught behind but the umpire is unmoved. The ball had brushed his pads. Dot again.

A full toss, on off, Sediqullah Atal drills it towards the mid off fielder. Dot.

Back of a length, on leg, Ibrahim Zadran tugs it through square leg for a single.

Length again, on off, Sediqullah Atal pushes it to short cover for a quick single.

On a length, on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran stays back in his crease and tucks it to mid on for a single.

Short, on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it through covers for a single.

Much fuller, on middle, Sediqullah Atal knocks it towards long on for a single.

Sediqullah Atal walks in at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! Sikandar Raza strikes. The change in bowling has worked for Zimbabwe. Flatter, outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets down on one knee and looks to loft it. Gets a top edge as the ball goes high up in the air towards covers. Tadiwanashe Marumani runs backward and takes a good catch.

Flatter, on middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz flicks it through square leg for a brace.

Much fuller, on off, Ibrahim Zadran knocks it down to long on for a single.

Sikandar Raza comes into the attack and bowls it on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it to the cover fielder.

Hard length, targeting the stumps, Ibrahim Zadran eases it to cover for a single.

Brad Evans keeps it full, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran drives it to the cover fielder.

Goes fuller, slower too. Ibrahim Zadran knocks it down the ground for a brace.

FOUR! Excellent from Ibrahim Zadran! Short ball, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran makes room and chips it over backward point for a boundary.

Short, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran swings hard but misses.

Much fuller, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz digs it towards long on for a single. Oh, it's a no ball for overstepping. Free hit coming up...

Hard length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it to short cover for a single.

FOUR MORE! Superb batting from Rahmanullah Gurbaz! On a length, on middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz moves to his right and paddles it over short fine leg for another boundary.

FOUR! Well played! Tinotenda Maposa errs his length down the leg side, Rahmanullah Gurbaz uses the pace of the ball and helps it fine down the leg side for a boundary.

Slower one, on middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz drags it through square leg for a brace.

Back of a length, following the batter. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to pull it but gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls back towards the bowler.

Short of a length, on leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz shuffles across to pull it but misses.

On a length, on middle and leg. Ibrahim Zadran tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

On a length, outside off. Ibrahim Zadran pushes it to cover and gets a single.

FOUR! SHOT! 50 runs up for Afghanistan! Short of a length, outside off. Ibrahim Zadran comes down the track to slap it over the cover region and gets the boundary.

On a length, outside off. Ibrahim Zadran looks to push it away but misses.

DROPPED! That should have been taken! Back of a length, on middle and leg. Rahmanullah Gurbaz once again goes for the pull shot but misses the ideal connection as the ball hits the top edge. It flies toward the far left of the fine leg fielder, who fails to judge it well and offers a dive at the end to get the skier, but the ball pops out of his palm as he lands on his elbow. Single taken in between!

SIX! Up, up and away! Brad Evans pitches it up, on middle and leg. Rahmanullah Gurbaz opens his stance and slogs it over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Short of a length, wide outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz hangs back, extends his arms and cuts it to the deep backward point fence for a boundary.

On a length, on middle and leg. Rahmanullah Gurbaz pulls it wide of the square leg for a single.

Good-length delivery, on middle and leg. Ibrahim Zadran nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! This is Ibrahim Zadran at his best! Back of a length, just outside off. Ibrahim Zadran walks off the crease and punches it uppishly, toward the sweeper cover fence for four more runs.

SIX! Smokes it away! Pitches it up, on middle and leg. Ibrahim Zadran clears his front foot and heaves it up and over the deep mid-wicket fence for the first biggie of the inning.

Back of a length, on off and middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz pulls it across the line toward the right of the mid-wicket fielder for a single.

Back of a length, on middle and leg. Ibrahim Zadran mistimes his pull to square leg for a single.

Shortish, on middle and leg. Rahmanullah Gurbaz tries to upper cut, but misses the connection.

Back of a length, around off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz stabs it to cover.

FOUR! Hot knife, through butter! Richard Ngarava bowls it a touch fuller, just outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz walks off his crease and uses his bottom hand to loft it over the head of the extra cover fielder for another boundary. That's three boundaries in this over!

FOUR! Rahmanullah Gurbaz, you beauty! Short, outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz stays back to his stance and cuts it uppishly, once again, toward deep cover for another boundary.

On a length, outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz shuffles a bit and offers a drive but fails to connect on the outside edge.

FOUR! CRACKED! Hard-length delivery, outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz camps back and cuts it uppishly, over the cover region and gets four more runs.

FOUR! Muscles it away! Good-length delivery, on off and middle. Ibrahim Zadran pulls it to the deep square leg fence and gets the first boundary of the inning.

On a length, outside off. Ibrahim Zadran attempts to smoke it away over cover, but gets the upper part of the bat. The ball loops safely toward the long off region, where the fielder tracks back and saves the boundary. A couple taken in between the wickets!

On a length, on off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz pulls it to wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Back of a length, outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to push it away but gets beaten.

Back of a length, around off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz stabs it to cover.

On a length, outside off. Ibrahim Zadran steers it to deep backward point for one.

Blessing Muzarabani will operate from the other end.

Back of a length, on leg and middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz defends it back to the bowler.

Pitches it up, on leg and middle. Ibrahim Zadran pushes it to left of the wide mid on for a single.

Back of a length, on middle. Ibrahim Zadran dabs it to mid-wicket.

Play and a miss! Good-length delivery, just outside off, angling it away. Ibrahim Zadran rocks back to punch it away but misses on the outer edge.

Back of a length, around the hips of the batter. Rahmanullah Gurbaz misses his tuck and wears it on the thigh pad, toward the right of the short fine leg fielder and gets a quick single. Afghanistan are underway!

Richard Ngarava steams from over the wicket and bowls on a good length, pitching it just outside off and shaping it away, across the stumps. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to drill it away but gets beaten on the outside edge with a good amount of gap.

All in readiness now! The two umpires are on their way to the middle of the park and the players of Zimbabwe have scattered to take their respective fielding positions. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will be the opening pair for Afghanistan. Richard Ngarava is the man who gets the new ball in his hands. Away we go...

We are moments away from having the first delivery of the match but before that, both teams have lined up for their respective national anthems. Afghanistan will go first, followed by the hosts, Zimbabwe.

PITCH REPORT - Zimbabwe's recent Test win against Afghanistan has boosted their confidence, and they might fancy their chances in this T20I series. The weather is perfect, and the pitch looks excellent, hard and bare, with no grass to speak of. With an average first-innings score of 156, you'd think that's a good target, but given the pitch's characteristics, teams might need to aim higher, closer to 180. The boundaries are evenly balanced, with 75 meters on either side, which should lead to some exciting cricket

Sikandar Raza, skipper of Zimbabwe, says that they were looking forward to bowl first anyway as they have ga ood amount of pacers on their playing XI. Continues that their job hasn't finished just qualifying for the T20 World Cup. He reckons that the journey has just started. Ends up saying that the last time they had a series against their opposition, they won one, lost one, and the third went down to the wire, but this time they will swoop to take the series winner and his team is confident about it.

Rashid Khan, skipper of Afghanistan, says that he thinks scoring runs are important on this track as they have a good bowling lineup to defend the target. Adds that in the Asia Cup and the series against Bangladesh weren't well for the team, but they have worked on the areas they need to improve. It ends up saying that Shahidullah Kamal will make his T20I debut for Afghanistan, and the skipper is very excited for him, as they both know from their days of under-19 cricket.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Shahidullah Kamal, Rashid Khan (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai.

Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brendan Taylor (WK), Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani.

TOSS - Afghanistan have won the toss and elected to BAT first.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, entered this series determined to move on from the Test disappointment. Their strength lies in spin and power-hitting. Skipper Rashid Khan remains a match-winner with the ball, and opening batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, along with Ibrahim Zadran, offer a serious threat at the top of the order. Don't forget to put the spotlights on Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad, as there are huge possibilities these Afghan wizards might turn out to be lethal. So, will the Chevrons be able to capitalize on their test victory, or will Afghanistan be able to turn out as the stronger side in this shorter format? Let's find the answers together. Stay tuned for toss and team updates.

With that victory fresh in the memory, Zimbabwe will look to carry momentum into the shorter format, while Afghanistan will be keen to hit back and reset the balance. For Zimbabwe, confidence is high. Their recent Test win showcased a potent blend of bat and ball, and today that same energy will need to carry over. Their top-order batters like Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani have been in good nick in T20 World Cup qualifiers, while pace bowlers Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani provide some serious firepower in the line-up. Zimbabwe will likely focus on grabbing early wickets to unsettle Afghanistan’s top order and use their home conditions to their fullest.

Welcome to the first match of the three-game T20I series between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, coming up at the Harare Sports Club. The stage is set following Zimbabwe’s dominant victory in the two-match Test series, where the first one was a draw, but in the second and last one, the Chevrons beat by an innings and 73 runs. 

... MATCHDAY ...

In the grand theatre of cricket, every tour is a test of courage, where some end in heartbreak, others in rebirth. And oh, what a rebirth Zimbabwe have scripted! After that thumping win in the one-off Test, the home side now walks into this three-match T20I series against Afghanistan with their chests out and spirits sky-high. But wait, this isn’t just another bilateral series, as we see, whereas this is a stepping stone toward the T20I World Cup 2026, a proving ground for both sides still searching for rhythm and redemption. Can Zimbabwe continue their winning symphony? Or will Afghanistan’s maestros hit back in their favourite format? This tour, so far, has been all about contrasting fortunes. Zimbabwe outplayed Afghanistan in every department during the Test - winning by an innings and 73 runs - a victory that left the visitors bruised and questioning their approach. But T20 cricket is chaos! One good over, one big partnership, and everything changes. Both teams have stumbled in recent months, yet both arrive here knowing that each T20I now carries the weight of preparation, pride, and selection ahead of that grand 2026 stage in India and Sri Lanka. Let’s know about Afghanistan first - a team known for flair, fight, and unpredictability! Yet lately, it’s been a tough road. An early exit in the Asia Cup, where they missed qualifying for the Super Fours, followed by a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Bangladesh earlier this month, has left Rashid Khan’s men in search of answers. But what’s the good news? Rashid himself returns after being rested for the Test, ready to lead the charge with that fierce grin and faster-than-lightning googlies. Alongside him stand the familiar match-winners - Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Nabi, and Omarzai - each capable of turning games in minutes. Can they bounce back from the blues and find the spark that once terrified the world? You bet they’ll try. Numbers tell a story of potential that just needs ignition. Sediqullah Atal (306 runs) and Ibrahim Zadran (284 runs) have been among the runs this year, while Rashid Khan (18 wickets) and Noor Ahmad (11 wickets) continue to be magicians with the ball. But where’s the catch? Afghanistan’s batting collapses too often under pressure! Their middle order hasn’t yet found its rhythm, and the finishing touch - the Nabi or Omarzai special - has been missing in action. So yes, Afghanistan’s mission is clear - bat deep, bat smart, and let the bowlers do their wizardry without defending low totals again. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe are glowing with self-belief! They couldn’t have asked for a better start to the tour - their Test victory was not just a win, it was a statement, as this was their first home Test win in around 12 years. Now comes their turn to extend that dominance in the shortest format. But wait, can they fix their T20I record? They lost their home T20I series to Sri Lanka earlier this year, and despite flashes of brilliance, they’ve struggled with consistency. This series offers a golden chance to fix that narrative. Zimbabwe have their heroes too. Brian Bennett has been a revelation, with 708 runs in 18 games, while Ryan Burl (381 runs) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (384 runs) have added punch. On the bowling front, Richard Ngarava (25 wickets) and Brad Evans (18 wickets) have been absolute menaces with the new ball. Add Raza’s all-round class and the comeback of the experienced Graeme Cremer, and you have a team that looks ready to rattle cages. But every strength hides a worry, doesn’t it? Zimbabwe’s middle order has been too dependent on Raza and Burl, while their death bowling sometimes leaks runs faster than soda foam. Can they stay disciplined against Afghanistan’s fearless hitters? That’s the big question. Yet with the crowd behind them and the Harare sun shining, Zimbabwe will believe they can outthink and outfight their Asian challengers once again to take an early lead in this short series. So, what’s at stake for both sides? Everything! Afghanistan need redemption, rhythm, and reassurance before the T20 World Cup 2026, while Zimbabwe need validation, proof that their rebuild isn’t just emotional but effective. Both teams are in a similar boat, but only one can row faster toward that distant shore of consistency. The Harare Sports Club - ah, what a venue! Flat pitches that tease batters, hints of early seam, and spinners who can find joy later. Expect runs to flow, but only for those brave enough to take risks. A first-innings score of around 170 could be the golden number, and the evening breeze might tilt things toward chasing. Keep an eye on key duels - Rashid Khan vs Sikandar Raza - the magician versus the maverick! Bennett vs Mujeeb could define the Powerplay, and Omarzai vs Ngarava might light up the finish! So, who holds the edge? On paper, Afghanistan have more firepower and flair, but Zimbabwe carry form, momentum, and home comfort. It’s experience versus energy, passion versus pride - a contest that promises drama, delight, and perhaps a few broken hearts!