Afghanistan started their T20I series against Zimbabwe on a winning note, securing a 37-run victory in the first match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Rashid Khan starred with both bat and ball, scoring a quickfire 30 off just 10 balls and picking up two wickets, while Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai contributed a crucial half-century. Batting first, Afghanistan had a poor start as Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal and Mohammad Akram were dismissed cheaply. Rahmanullah Gurbaz also struggled, leaving the hosts in trouble at 18/3 in just three overs. Afghanistan later slipped to 68/5 before Ahmadzai and Shahidullah Kamal helped turn things around.
Kamal started the counterattack with a six off Ernest Masuku, while Ahmadzai took on Sikandar Raza in the following over, hitting a six and two boundaries. The pair continued their aggressive approach before Rashid joined Ahmadzai and added further momentum to the innings. Afghanistan added 50 runs in just 17 balls after Rashid's arrival, eventually getting bowled out for 177 in 19.5 overs. Ahmadzai top-scored with 52, while Kamal contributed 46. For Zimbabwe, Newman Nyamhuri was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets for 31 runs, while Brad Evans claimed two wickets.
Chasing 178, Zimbabwe struggled to build partnerships and lost Ben Curran early. Innocent Kaia and Brian Bennett added 36 runs, but Mujeeb ur Rahman and Rashid Khan dismissed both batters in quick succession, putting the visitors under pressure. Ryan Burl offered some resistance with 32 runs, while Sikandar Raza and Wesley Madhevere chipped in with quick contributions of 17 each. However, Zimbabwe failed to keep up with the required run rate and were eventually bowled out for 140 in 19.1 overs.
Fazalhaq Farooqi led Afghanistan's bowling attack with three wickets for 13 runs, while Rashid Khan picked up two wickets for 20 runs. Azmatullah Omarzai dismissed Ernest Masuku in the 20th over to seal a comfortable 37-run victory for the hosts.With this win, Afghanistan took an early lead in the T20I series, with Rashid's all-round performance and Ahmadzai's important knock proving decisive.