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Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan 1st T20I 2025 | Omarzai, Mujeeb Give Afghanistan Early Lead | October 30, 2025
Picture Credit: Cricbuzz
Omarzai, Mujeeb Give Afghanistan Early Lead
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025 | Venue: Harare Sports Club | Match: Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 1st T20I, Afghanistan Tour of Zimbabwe 2025
by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on Thu, Oct 30, 2025 • 12:44 PM
Afghanistan staged a strong comeback after getting hammered in the one-off Test as they beat Zimbabwe by 53 runs in the first T20I to take an early lead in the series. Azmatullah Omarzai and Mujeeb Ur Rahman wrecked the hosts, bowling them out for just 127 after openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran set the tone with a solid start that powered Afghanistan to 180 on the board.
Early Wreckage by Mujeeb and Omarzai
Zimbabwe made a horror start when Mujeeb struck twice in the second over, including the big wicket of veteran Brendan Taylor. The hosts barely had time to recover before Omarzai joined the attack and struck twice in the next over. Zimbabwe found themselves reeling at 25/4 and soon after Brian Bennett became Omarzai’s third victim, the scoreboard read 30/5.
With their top five back in the pavilion, the game was effectively over. Brad Evans added 24 runs lower down the order, while Tinotenda Maposa entertained the home crowd with a 15-ball 32 that helped Zimbabwe cross three figures. However, Mujeeb returned to wrap up the innings, finishing with a superb 4/20.
Afghanistan’s Strong Start with the Bat
Earlier, it was the openers who laid the perfect foundation. Gurbaz and Zadran added 76 runs for the opening wicket, taking on the Zimbabwe pacers with ease. Gurbaz smashed three boundaries in one over off Richard Ngarava, while Zadran hammered the first six of the innings off Blessing Muzarabani.
Evans’ first over went for 16 runs and the powerplay ended with Afghanistan at 63/0. Zimbabwe found a breakthrough through Sikandar Raza, who dismissed Gurbaz, but Zadran continued and reached his half-century as Afghanistan looked set for a massive total at 103/1 in the 11th over.
Raza’s double-wicket over and Muzarabani’s twin strikes reduced the visitors to 128/5, but a vital late surge from Omarzai (27 off 14) and Shahidullah Kamal ensured Afghanistan posted a strong total of 180/6.
Series Momentum with Afghanistan
With a commanding all-round performance, Afghanistan secured a 53-run win and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. Omarzai and Mujeeb were the stars, combining for seven wickets, while Zadran’s half-century set up the innings perfectly.
Brief Scores
Afghanistan 180/6 in 20 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 52, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 39; Sikandar Raza 3/20)
Zimbabwe 127 in 16.1 overs (Tinotenda Maposa 32; Mujeeb Ur Rahman 4/20, Azmatullah Omarzai 3/29)
Result: Afghanistan won by 53 runs
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