Zimbabwe Edges Afghanistan

Zimbabwe clinched a nail-biting four-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the opening T20I, chasing down 145 in a dramatic finish that kept the Harare crowd on edge. Tashinga Musekiwa emerged as the hero, striking crucial boundaries and running tirelessly to seal the win on the final delivery of the match.

Set 145 to win, Zimbabwe faced stiff resistance from Afghanistan's bowlers. Tight spells from Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman left Zimbabwe needing 21 runs off the final 12 balls. Naveen-ul-Haq’s penultimate over conceded 10 runs, setting the stage for a tense final over. Despite Azmatullah Omarzai’s variations, Musekiwa’s brilliance—including a towering slog over cow corner and swift running—secured Zimbabwe’s thrilling victory.

Earlier, Zimbabwe’s chase appeared shaky when Naveen bowled a maiden to start and later dismissed skipper Sikandar Raza. Rashid Khan further dented the innings, removing the well-set Brian Bennett (49) and Ryan Burl in quick succession. However, a 75-run stand between Dion Myers (32) and Bennett had provided stability, and Musekiwa’s heroics ensured their efforts weren’t in vain.

Afghanistan’s innings was marked by ups and downs. Opting to bat first, Rashid Khan’s decision saw the visitors stumble early, losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai to disciplined bowling from Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani. At 58 for 5 in the 11th over, Afghanistan looked in trouble, but Karim Janat (54* off 49) and Nabi (44) stitched together a vital 79-run partnership. Nabi’s late assault included a six and three boundaries off Trevor Gwandu, but Zimbabwe’s bowlers, led by Ngarava’s 3 for 28, kept the total within reach.

Despite a few fielding lapses, Zimbabwe held their nerve in the final moments to secure a memorable win and take a 1-0 lead in the series. The contest showcased thrilling twists and turns, with both teams delivering moments of brilliance that left fans eagerly anticipating the next game.