Delhi: Afghanistan performed brilliantly in the first T20 International match played against Zimbabwe and won by 53 runs. With this victory, the team took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Afghanistan made a strong score of 180 runs

Afghanistan team had a great start after winning the toss and coming to bat first. Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz made an important partnership of 76 runs for the first wicket. Zadran batted brilliantly and scored 52 runs, while Gurbaz played an inning of 39 runs. In the end, Azmatullah Umarzai (27 runs, 21 balls) and Shahidullah (22 runs, 13 balls, 4 fours) batted brilliantly and took the team’s score to 180 in 20 overs.

Deadly bowling of Mujeeb ur Rahman

While chasing the target, Zimbabwe team could not stand against the bowlers of Afghanistan. The entire team could score only 127 runs in 42.3 overs. Afghanistan’s star spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman performed brilliantly and took four wickets. Apart from them, Rashid Khan and Gulbadin Naib also took important wickets.

Mohammad Nabi out on zero, new record made

Experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi did not have a good day in this match. He was out without opening the account after playing just two balls. With this, he made the unwanted record of being out on zero for the most number of times in T20 International for Afghanistan.

Nabi has been out on zero 9 times in T20Is so far. He has left behind Rahmanullah Gurbaz (8 times). At the same time, Gulbadin Naib and Rashid Khan have been out 7-7 times without scoring any runs.

This victory of Afghanistan will further increase the confidence of the team, while Mohammad Nabi would like to forget this record soon.