Rashid Khan required just 10 deliveries to alter the landscape of Afghanistan’s effort, before he came out to take two wickets from Zimbabwe which went 37 runs down in the first T20I of the series in Sharjah.
Despite a seemingly troubled start that resulted in him forfeiting three wickets for 18 runs, Afghanistan’s skipper went on to score 30 in a late bid for a 177-run total. He found the ball to be his by his contribution to the game after the crucial acceleration by Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai with 52 runs.
Ahmadzai’s half-century came when Afghanistan were struggling to get their momentum going. Meanwhile, Shahidullah Kamal also contributed with 46 to take the pressure off the hosts as the rate of runs picked up after the hosts had managed just 68-for-five in the 12th over. Zimbabwe had established a position to contain Afghanistan to a small score but the late counterattack saved the day.
Rashid took the weight off the middle order. After coming to the crease he added 50 runs in 17 balls, leaving Zimbabwe with a much tougher challenge in the form of a much more volatile batting line-up. Newman Nyamhuri eventually broke the procession with four wickets for 31 runs but it was too little, too late as Afghanistan had already put on a competitive 19.5 overs.
Zimbabwe needing to get off to a flying start, but their fight never got going. Innocent Kaia and Brian Bennett failed to get the ball moving as Ben Curran scored seven. Their 36-run partnership was broken after Mujeeb ur Rahman caught Kaia and Rashid was dismissed soon afterwards.
Ryan Burl’s 32 proved to be the strongest resistance for Zimbabwe, but a stunner from Sikandar Raza and a 17 from Wessly Madhevere was not enough to turn things around. Afghanistan’s bowlers continued to take wickets at the required rate as the requirement was raised and the visitors had to make a lot of runs.
Fazalhaq Farooqi came up with 3 wickets for 13 runs from the attack side while Rashid, with 2 wickets for 20, strengthened his hold on both innings. The game ended with Azmatullah Omarzai dismissing Ernest Masuku and Zimbabwe were bowled out for 140 in 19.1 overs.
The triumph highlighted the importance of a captain who can transform a match in many aspects for Afghanistan. Ahmadzai helped to build the innings but, Rashid’s quick runs and early wickets prevented Zimbabwe from taking advantage of the home side’s problems.
With 37 runs in hand, Afghanistan ended Zimbabwe stumped 140 all out in 19.1 overs (Ryan Burl 32; Fazalhaq Farooqi 3/13, Rashid Khan 2/20) to come out on top in the brief scores.
