Azmatullah Omarzai Hits Maiden Century as Afghanistan Beat Zimbabwe by 19 Runs to Seal T20I Series

Series Sealed: Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by 19 runs in the 2nd T20I in Sharjah, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Record-Breaking Total: After collapsing to 4 for 5 in the fourth over—becoming the first men's T20I team to pass 200 after losing their first four wickets for under 20 runs—Afghanistan mounted an extraordinary recovery to post 221 for 7, their third-highest T20I total.

Afghanistan Innings: The Incredible Turnaround

Early Destruction: Zimbabwe's Brad Evans (2 for 40) and debutant Kundai Matigimu tore through the top order, removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Akram, Ibrahim Zadran, and Shahidullah Kamal cheaply on a lively Sharjah surface.

The Record Partnership: Coming together at 38 for 5, Azmatullah Omarzai and Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai shared a 142-run partnership, setting a new record for the highest stand for the sixth wicket or lower in T20Is. Afghanistan hammered 176 runs from their final ten overs.

Omarzai's Maiden Century: Omarzai played a sensational knock of 116 off 50 deliveries, striking 12 sixes and reaching his maiden T20I hundred off just 44 balls.

Late Fireworks: Ijaz supported him with a quickfire 52 off 27 (his second consecutive fifty of the series), while Rashid Khan delivered a blistering cameo of 25 off 6 balls*—hitting three consecutive sixes in the final over—to push the total to 221. In the process, Rashid also claimed his 200th T20I wicket, becoming the first bowler to reach the milestone in men's T20Is.

Rashid arrived with two overs remaining and had faced one ball when the last over began. Mujeeb Ur Rahman gave him the strike, and Rashid hit three successive sixes: a short-arm jab over midwicket, a swat over extra cover and a hoick down the ground. A full toss brought a dot as Rashid declined a single. He finished by dragging a wide bouncer over the leg-side boundary, taking Afghanistan to 221. Matigimu's opening over had been a double-wicket maiden; his last cost 25, completing a five-over onslaught worth 103.

Zimbabwe Chase: Raza's Historic Century in Vain

Early Stumbles: Chasing 222, Zimbabwe slipped to 82 for 5 by the halfway mark as Fareed Ahmad and Abdollah struck regular blows, alongside Rashid Khan dismissing Tadiwanashe Marumani for his landmark 200th wicket. Raza's Resistance: Captain Sikandar Raza fought back valiantly, becoming at 40 the oldest man to score a T20I hundred. He finished unbeaten on 106 off 56 balls, smashing nine sixes (including one over the roof off the final delivery).

Unbeaten Stand: Raza and debutant Tafadzwa Tsiga put on an unbroken 120-run sixth-wicket partnership, taking Zimbabwe to 202 for 5, but Afghanistan's massive total ensured they stayed safe to seal the win.