Afghanistan secured a thrilling 19-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second T20I at Sharjah on October 29, 2026, sealing the series with a match to spare. Facing an early collapse after sliding to 5 for 4 inside four overs, the batting lineup mounted an extraordinary rescue mission to post their third-highest T20I total of 221 for 7. Azmatullah Omarzai spearheaded the fightback with a magnificent maiden century, while Sikandar Raza answered with an unbeaten hundred for Zimbabwe before the visitors fell short at 202 for 5.
Record Partnership and Late-Innings Carnage
The turning point arrived when Omarzai joined forces with Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai at 38 for 5. The pair proceeded to construct an incredible 142-run partnership, which stands as the highest ever recorded for the sixth wicket or lower in men’s T20 Internationals. Afghanistan were still under pressure at 45 for 5 at the halfway mark before unleashing a devastating assault, hammering 176 runs from the final ten overs.
- Azmatullah Omarzai smashed 12 sixes on his way to 116 runs from just 50 deliveries, bringing up his hundred off 44 balls.
- Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai contributed a vital 52 off 27 deliveries following his half-century in the series opener.
- Rashid Khan chipped in with an explosive unbeaten cameo of 25 from six balls before creating history by becoming the first bowler to claim 200 wickets in men’s T20Is.
- Sikandar Raza fought back for Zimbabwe with an unbeaten 106 off 56 balls, becoming the oldest man at age 40 to score a T20I century.
Series Sealed Despite Raza Resistance
Zimbabwe’s bowlers suffered heavily during the death overs, with Brad Evans conceding 27 runs in his final over and Kundai Matigimu leaking 44 across his last two. Although Raza combined with debutant Tafadzwa Tsiga in an unbroken 120-run stand to push Zimbabwe past the 200-run mark, Afghanistan’s colossal total provided enough cushion. The 19-run triumph gives Afghanistan an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
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