Clinical Afghanistan seal 53-run win over Zimbabwe in 1st T20I

Harare [Zimbabwe], October 29 (ANI): An all-round amusement from Azmatullah Omarzai, a four-wicket haul from Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and half-century from Ibrahim Zadran were the standouts arsenic a objective Afghanistan secured a 53-run triumph implicit Zimbabwe successful the archetypal T20I astatine Harare connected Wednesday.

With this win, Afghanistan are 1-0 up successful the three-match series. Chasing a 181-run people acceptable by Afghanistan mostly owed to contributions of Zadran (52 successful 33 balls, with six fours and a six), Zimbabwe was ne'er truly a menace with Mujeeb (4/20) and Omarzai (3/29) dominating the hosts.

Afghanistan won the flip and elected to bat first. A 76-run basal for the opening wicket started disconnected things for Afghanistan arsenic Zadran launched an battle connected Zimbabwe's line-up alongside Rahmanullah Gurbaz (39 successful 25 balls, with 5 fours and a six) successful conscionable 7.4 overs.

Sikander Raza (3/20) triggered a collapse, arsenic Afghanistan was reduced to 128/5 successful 15.3 overs. He besides overtook pacer Blessing Muzarabani (230 planetary wickets) to go the second-highest wicket-taker for Zimbabwe successful planetary cricket.

Omarzai (27 successful 21 balls, with a 4 and six) and Shahidullah (22* successful 13 balls, with 4 boundaries) played captious cameos to assistance Afghanistan to 180/6 successful 20 overs. Blessing Muzarabani (2/41) besides emerged arsenic an important bowler.

During the run-chase of 181, Omarzai and Mujeeb ur Rahman reduced ZImbabwe to 68/7 successful 10.2 overs.

Brad Evans (24 successful 19 balls, with 2 fours) and Tinotenda Maposa (32 successful 15 balls, with 5 fours) enactment connected a 53-run stand, but they were bundled retired for 127 runs successful 16.1 overs.

Omarzai got the 'Player of the Match' award. (ANI)