Afghanistan sweeps Zimbabwe in T20I series with record-breaking century
Afghanistan clinched the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe on October 23, 2026, after Sikandar Raza’s unbeaten 106 off 56 balls made him the oldest man to score a T20I century, while Rashid Khan became the first bowler to reach 200 men’s T20I wickets.
Afghanistan clinched the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe on October 23, 2026, after Sikandar Raza’s unbeaten 106 off 56 balls made him the oldest man to score a T20I century, while Rashid Khan became the first bowler to reach 200 men’s T20I wickets. The match was played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Key numbers
| Stat | Figure | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan’s total in the decider | 221 for 7 | October 23, 2026 | Yahoo Sports |
| Sikandar Raza’s unbeaten score | 106 off 56 balls | October 23, 2026 | Yahoo Sports |
| Azmatullah Omarzai’s partnership with Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai | 142 runs | October 23, 2026 | Yahoo Sports |
| Rashid Khan’s T20I wickets milestone | 200 | October 23, 2026 | Yahoo Sports |
| Afghanistan’s wins in T20I series against Zimbabwe | 6 straight | October 23, 2026 | Yahoo Sports |
What happened
Afghanistan completed a 2-0 series sweep over Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 23, 2026. Zimbabwe’s innings ended at 201, with Sikandar Raza finishing unbeaten on 106 off 56 balls, the oldest T20I century in history. Afghanistan’s lower order, including Azmatullah Omarzai’s 116 and Rashid Khan’s three successive sixes in the final over, sealed the win with a total of 221 for 7. Rashid Khan also reached the milestone of 200 men’s T20I wickets during the match.Who is affected
The series sweep directly impacts Zimbabwe’s cricket team morale and Afghanistan’s confidence heading into future matches. Zimbabwe’s batters struggled to find consistency, losing wickets in clusters, while Afghanistan’s depth and resilience in the lower order proved decisive. The win also solidifies Afghanistan’s dominance in T20I cricket against Zimbabwe, with six straight victories in the format. See the table above for verified figures from the series.What to do next
Zimbabwe’s cricket board will likely review their batting strategy, particularly focusing on middle-order stability and handling pressure situations. Afghanistan’s team management may emphasize maintaining their current form and addressing any injuries or fatigue before upcoming fixtures. Fans can expect a focus on the next series or tournament where these teams will face off.What we know and don’t know
We know Afghanistan’s series sweep was driven by their lower-order resilience, Rashid Khan’s bowling dominance, and Sikandar Raza’s unbeaten century. However, we don’t have insights into Zimbabwe’s long-term strategy adjustments or Afghanistan’s preparations for their next matches beyond this series.Timeline of Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe T20I series
- October 29, 2025: Zimbabwe won the first T20I by 4 wickets, scoring 145 for 6 and Afghanistan 144 for 6.
- October 27, 2026: Afghanistan won the first T20I of the 2026 series by 37 runs, Zimbabwe scoring 140 for 10 and Afghanistan 177 for 10.
- October 31, 2026: Afghanistan won the second T20I by 7 wickets, Zimbabwe scoring 125 and Afghanistan 129 for 3.
Why it matters
This series sweep underscores Afghanistan’s growing prowess in T20I cricket, particularly their ability to capitalize on Zimbabwe’s structural batting weaknesses. For Zimbabwe, the loss highlights the need for a more balanced approach, especially in handling pressure situations and maintaining consistency across the batting order. The series also marks a significant milestone for Rashid Khan, reinforcing his status as one of the most dominant bowlers in modern T20I cricket.Key takeaways
- Afghanistan’s lower-order resilience was pivotal, with Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan leading the charge.
- Sikandar Raza’s unbeaten 106 made him the oldest man to score a T20I century, adding to his legacy.
- Rashid Khan reached the milestone of 200 men’s T20I wickets, solidifying his reputation as a bowling legend.
- Afghanistan’s six straight T20I wins over Zimbabwe demonstrate their dominance in the format.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the T20I series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe?
Afghanistan won the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, completing a 2-0 sweep on October 23, 2026.
What was Sikandar Raza’s score in the final match?
Sikandar Raza scored an unbeaten 106 off 56 balls in the final match, making him the oldest man to score a T20I century.
How many T20I wickets did Rashid Khan reach in this series?
Rashid Khan reached the milestone of 200 men’s T20I wickets during the series, a historic achievement in T20I cricket.
What was the highest partnership in the final match?
The highest partnership in the final match was between Azmatullah Omarzai and Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, who scored 142 runs for the sixth wicket.
How did Afghanistan’s lower order perform in the series?
Afghanistan’s lower order was instrumental in the series, with players like Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan consistently contributing runs and wickets to secure victories.
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Sources
- Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 3rd T20I prediction, lineups and Sharjah pitch report — who will win? — sports.yahoo.com, 2026-11-01
- Tab-1 — indiatoday.in
- AFG vs ZIM, 2nd ODI Highlights: Afghanistan wins by 158 runs — sportstar.thehindu.com, 2026-10-19
- Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan 1st T20I Match Prediction - Who will win today's match between ZIM vs AFG T20I match? — yardbarker.com, 2025-10-28
- Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe prediction, team news, pitch report and betting tips for 2nd T20I in Sharjah — sportingnews.com, 2026-10-29