Sharjah – October 30, 2026: AfghanAtalan, banking on some outstanding performances from Azmatullah Omarzai, Ijaz Ahmadzai, Rashid Khan and Abdullah Ahmadzai, defeated Zimbabwe by 19 runs in the second T20I to secure their second consecutive victory and take an unassailable 2–0 lead in the ongoing three-match series.
Earlier in the evening, Zimbabwe
won the toss and elected to field first. Afghanistan endured a disastrous
start, losing their first four wickets for just five runs, before their fifth
wicket fell at 38. However, Azmatullah Omarzai and Ijaz Ahmadzai staged a
remarkable recovery, putting together a brilliant 142-run partnership for the
sixth wicket.
The 142-run stand established a
new record for the highest sixth-wicket partnership in men’s T20I cricket. It
also ranks the 5th highest partnership recorded by Afghan batters in
the format.
Omarzai produced a magnificent
innings of 116 runs off just 50 balls, striking 12 sixes and five fours. Ijaz
Ahmadzai continued his impressive form, scoring 53 runs to register his second
consecutive T20I half-century. Rashid Khan added a late flourish, smashing four
sixes in just six deliveries to finish unbeaten on 25. Afghanistan posted an
imposing total of 221/7, setting Zimbabwe a target of 222 runs.
In response, Afghanistan’s
bowlers delivered a disciplined performance to defend the challenging total.
Despite Zimbabwe’s efforts to keep pace during the opening and closing stages
of their innings, the Afghan bowlers applied crucial pressure in the middle
overs. Zimbabwe eventually finished on 202/5, handing Afghanistan a convincing
19-run victory.
Abdullah Ahmadzai led
Afghanistan’s bowling effort with two wickets, while Rashid Khan, Azmatullah
Omarzai and Fareed Ahmad Malik claimed one wicket apiece.
The match also witnessed another
historic milestone for Rashid Khan, who became the first player in men’s T20I
cricket to reach 200 wickets. He achieved the landmark in his 120th innings,
maintaining an exceptional bowling average of 13.96 and an economy rate of
approximately 6.13 runs per over. Rashid has also registered two five-wicket
hauls in the format, with best figures of 5/3.
Azmatullah Omarzai was named
Player of the Match for his outstanding all-round performance, having played a
decisive role with both bat and ball.
With the series already secured,
the AfghanAtalan will face Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I next Sunday,
aiming to complete a clean sweep.