Sharjah, October 30: Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan created history by becoming the first bowler to take 200 wickets in men’s Twenty20 Internationals as Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by 19 runs in the second match of their three-game series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
The landmark achievement came during an extraordinary contest in which Afghanistan recovered from a disastrous start to post 221 for seven before restricting Zimbabwe to 202 for five in their 20 overs.
Rashid reached the milestone in his 120th T20I appearance when he dismissed Zimbabwe wicketkeeper-batter Tadiwanashe Marumani, who was trapped leg before wicket for two runs. The dismissal added another remarkable chapter to the Afghan spinner’s international career and strengthened his position among the most successful bowlers in the shortest format.
England’s Adil Rashid occupies the second position on the all-time list with 171 wickets from 153 matches, leaving a considerable gap between the two leading wicket-takers.
The achievement underlined Rashid’s remarkable consistency and longevity in international cricket. Since making his T20I debut against Zimbabwe in 2015, he has developed into one of the most influential leg-spinners in the game.
His ability to take wickets during crucial phases, maintain pressure on opposing batters and deliver under challenging circumstances has made him a central figure in Afghanistan’s rise in international cricket.
The historic moment was part of a memorable team performance, with all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai producing a sensational century to rescue Afghanistan after their innings had threatened to collapse.
Omarzai leads remarkable recovery
Afghanistan’s innings began in disastrous fashion after Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field.
The visitors’ bowlers made immediate use of the conditions, reducing Afghanistan to five wickets for just four runs during the powerplay. The top order struggled to cope with the early pressure, leaving the team in danger of recording a disappointing total.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Akram and Shahidullah Kamal departed cheaply as Zimbabwe seized control of the contest.
Sediqullah Atal also failed to convert his start into a substantial contribution, leaving Afghanistan at 38 for five.
However, Omarzai refused to surrender the initiative. The all-rounder launched a remarkable counterattack, combining aggressive stroke play with calculated shot selection to put the Zimbabwean bowlers under pressure.
He was joined by Ijaz Ahmadzai, and the pair completely changed the direction of the innings through a spectacular sixth-wicket partnership.
Omarzai eventually scored 116 runs from just 50 deliveries, including five boundaries and 12 sixes. His innings was particularly significant because it came at a stage when Afghanistan were struggling to build even a modest total.
The partnership with Ijaz produced 142 runs from only 59 deliveries, providing Afghanistan with an extraordinary recovery. Ijaz contributed 52 runs from 27 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes.
Their stand became the highest partnership for the sixth wicket or lower in men’s T20I cricket, highlighting the magnitude of Afghanistan’s comeback.
Omarzai also registered his maiden T20I century, becoming another Afghan batter to achieve the landmark in the international format.
Rashid provided a further boost towards the end of the innings, smashing an unbeaten 25 from just six deliveries. His late contribution helped Afghanistan reach 221 for seven in their allotted 20 overs.
The recovery was particularly remarkable because Afghanistan became the first team to score more than 200 runs in a men’s T20I after losing their first four wickets for fewer than 20 runs.
Zimbabwe fight back through Sikandar Raza
Chasing 222 for victory, Zimbabwe needed a strong start and a sustained batting effort to remain in contention.
Their top order faced early difficulties, but captain Sikandar Raza took responsibility and produced an outstanding innings to keep his side in the contest.
Raza scored an unbeaten 106 from 56 deliveries, including five fours and nine sixes. His aggressive approach ensured that Zimbabwe continued to challenge the required run rate despite losing wickets at regular intervals.
The Zimbabwe skipper displayed considerable determination and played several powerful shots against Afghanistan’s bowling attack.
However, the pressure of chasing a demanding target eventually proved decisive. Afghanistan’s bowlers maintained control during the middle overs, preventing Zimbabwe from building the partnerships required to complete the chase.
Raza’s efforts were not enough as Zimbabwe finished at 202 for five, falling 19 runs short of the target.
The result gave Afghanistan an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series after they had won the opening match by 37 runs. It also extended their winning run against Zimbabwe in T20I series to eight consecutive series.
A major milestone for Afghan cricket
Rashid’s achievement represents an important moment for Afghanistan, a country that has established itself as a competitive force in international cricket over the past decade.
The leg-spinner has played a central role in that progress, combining individual excellence with leadership responsibilities.
His 200-wicket milestone reflects his effectiveness across different conditions and against a wide range of international opponents. Of his wickets, a significant majority have come during the middle and death overs, when batters generally attempt to accelerate their scoring.
Rashid has also been particularly successful against Ireland, while his record against Zimbabwe further demonstrates his ability to exploit familiar opponents.
The performance in Sharjah was an example of how individual achievements can complement a collective team effort. While Rashid reached a historic bowling milestone, Omarzai’s remarkable century and Ijaz’s contribution provided the foundation for Afghanistan’s victory.
For Zimbabwe, Raza’s century offered encouragement despite the defeat. The visitors showed determination during the chase but were unable to overcome the pressure created by Afghanistan’s huge total.
The two teams are scheduled to meet in the third and final T20I on November 1. Afghanistan will enter the contest with the series already secured, while Zimbabwe will aim to finish their campaign with a victory.
For Rashid, the historic achievement adds another distinction to an already remarkable career and further establishes his place among the leading players in international T20 cricket.