Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 48 runs, showing how much they have fallen behind in the shortest format. Due to the temporary suspension of their board, Zimbabwe was unable to qualify for the T20 World Cup, but Afghanistan would participate in the game, and the difference in intent, hostility, and playing style between the 2 sides was evident from the outset.

Zimbabwe decided to chase on a surface where captain Sean Williams thought 170 would be reasonable, but their attack gave up 198 runs, with 11 wides, to an Afghan top-order that didn’t take any prisoners. Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed a 44-ball 87, sharing an 80-run first-wicket stand with Karim Janat and a 74-run second-wicket stand with Asghar Afghan to force Zimbabwe to reach a mark they have never reached before.

Despite being 106 for 1 after 12 overs, Zimbabwe were never really in the hunt due to a lack of power-hitters in their lineup and a very well Afghan attack. Afghanistan’s well-balanced attack split wickets between seam and spin, with Rashid Khan once again leading the charge. His 3 for 28 held Zimbabwe at bay, adding to his already illustrious T20 record. Rashid has taken more T20 wickets than anybody else since his debut in October 2015, with 92 to his credit. With 64 points, Ish Sodhi is the next on the list.

Afghanistan has now won nine of ten Twenty20 Internationals against Zimbabwe.