Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by 50 runs in the second T20I at the Harare Sports Club on December 13, Friday.

Zimbabwe won the first T20I by 4 wickets but the visitors made a stunning comeback to level the three-match series at 1-1. The series decider will be played on December 14, Saturday.

Afghanistan opted to bat first in the second T20I but the decision backfired quickly as Gwandu removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz on 11 runs in the fourth over of the powerplay while Muzarbani dismissed Sediqullah Atal on 19 runs in the next over.

Darwish Rasooli and Azmatullah Omarzai stitched a 53-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Rasooli 58 runs off 42 balls. He smacked six boundaries and one maximum during his sensational knock. Azmatullah also scored 28 runs off 23 balls. Gulbadin Naib also amassed an unbeaten 26 runs off 21 balls as Afghanistan scored 153 in 20 overs.

Naveen-ul-Haq, Rashid Khan shine with the ball

Chasing the target of 154 runs, Zimbabwe got off to a poor start as Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah removed Marumani and Myers cheaply in the powerplay. Brian Bennet scored 27 runs off 26 balls but the middle order failed to make any contribution with the bat in the run chase.

Naveen Ul Haq (3/19), Rashid Khan (3/20), and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/30) put on a terrific bowling effort to help Afghan players beat Zimbabwe by 50 runs and draw level the three-match T20I series 1-1

Skipper Sikandar Raza scored 35 runs off 30 balls but Afghani bowlers picked wickets at regular intervals to put pressure on the hosts. Naveen-ul-Haq completed a significant milestone by taking his 250th T20 wicket in the shortest format. Zimbabwe bowled out for 103 runs in the 17.4 overs. Rashid and Naveen took three wickets each while Mujeeb Ur Rahman also picked up two wickets. Omarzai and Fareed Ahmed also took one wicket each.

With the much-anticipated Lanka T10 Super League 2024 in full swing, Jaffna Titans’ all-rounder David Wiese voiced his belief this week that the T10 format serves as a crucial tool for players wanting to hone their skills.

Wiese said: "In any format, particularly in T10, bowlers face a very slim margin for error. It's vital to master your skills as any misstep can be costly. T10 absolutely aids players in honing their abilities."

He went on to say that there is “certainly a space for T10, especially in terms of reaching emerging markets. It represents a fantastic opportunity to expand cricket’s footprint in those regions.

“However, I must say that as the game shortens, it can sometimes lead to one-side affairs, where a single player can swing the tide of the match," he noted.

He did say that despite the excitement of T10s, he believes there is a distinct value in longer formats.

“They reflect the essence of the game, and I trust players will continue to prioritize formats like T20s, ODIs, and Tests. However, it’s undeniable that T10 is catching on swiftly," he said.

Wiese also expressed his joy at participating in the tournament and commended fans in Sri Lanka for their enthusiasm.

"It's incredible to be back in Sri Lanka. The tournament's successful start is encouraging, and the turnout has been impressive.”

Sri Lanka is the latest country to launch a T10 league, having witnessed the growing popularity of the event around the world.

Earlier this month, the Abu Dhabi T10 League wrapped up its 8th season.

As with other T10 leagues, the fast-paced tournament brought together some of the big names in international cricket.

Lanka T10 is no different, and for its launch event teams snapped up seven Afghan players.

They feature in four teams.

Najibullah Zadran is playing for Colombo Jaguars; and left-arm spinner Hamza Hotak is in Kandy Bolts’ lineup.

Nuwara Eliya Kings snapped up two Afghans, Zubaid Akbari; and right-arm pacer Aftab Alam.

Hambantota Banga Tigers in turn have three players from Afghanistan in their squad.

They are Hazratullah Zazai, who famously hit 162 off 62 balls, the highest in a T20I, in Dehradun in February 2019 against Ireland; Karim Janat, the younger brother of Asghar Afghan; and one of the country’s most celebrated batsmen, Mohammad Shahzad.

Lanka T10 Watch Live

Cricket fans across the country can tune in to Ariana Television from 2pm Friday, December 13, to watch the event live.

The league will wrap up on December 19.

Zimbabwe on Wednesday trumped Afghanistan by 4 wickets in the first of three T20Is - in a match that was however historical for Mohammad Nabi. It was his 300th appearance in international cricket.

The 39-year-old Afghanistan National Cricket Team all-rounder achieved this special triple century feat to become the only Afghan cricketer to do so.

Nabi’s milestone comes after he made his debut on April 19, 2009 and on Wednesday he made sure his 300th international match was a memorable one as he played a sensational knock with the bat.

He scored 44 runs off 27 balls, with 5 fours and 1 six, to help his team register a decent total of 144/6 on the board.

During his innings on Wednesday, Nabi also unlocked a major milestone as he completed 150 fours in his history of T20I cricket.

Nabi made his Test debut in June 2018 against India and has played 3 matches, scoring 33 runs at an average of 5.50 and picking 8 wickets at an average of 31.75, an economy of 2.79 and a strike rate of 68.2.

In ODIs, he made his debut in April 2009 against Scotland and has featured in 167 matches so far. He has scored 3,600 runs at an average of 27.48 and picked up 172 wickets at an average of 32.47, an economy of 4.27 and a strike rate of 45.5.

Cricket Addictor reports that in T20Is, he has played 130 matches and scored 2,209 runs at an average of 22.54 after making his debut in February 2010 against Ireland.

With the ball, he has bagged 97 wickets at an average of 28.01, an economy of 7.33, and a strike rate of 22.9.

Wednesday’s outcome in Harare meanwhile was only the second time Afghanistan has lost to Zimbabwe.

Speaking after the match, skipper Rashid Khan said that their mindset was to go on the field and put a good total on the board but that they were about 15 or so runs shy of this.

Afghanistan’s 2nd T20I will be played on Friday at the same venue.

The squad is as follows:

Afghanistan (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sediqullah Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Mohammad Ishaq, Rashid Khan(c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fareed Ahmad Malik

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani(w), Dion Myers, Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza(ci), Ryan Burl, Wellington Masakadza, Tashinga Musekiwa, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu