Gurbaz guides Afghanistan to win over Zimbabwe in first T20I

A half-century by opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz guided Afghanistan to a 48-run win over Zimbabwe in the first T20I in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz after reaching his half-century in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

A half-century by opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz guided Afghanistan to a 48-run win over Zimbabwe in the first T20I in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

With seven sixes and six boundaries, Gurbaz hammered 45-ball 87 to steer Afghanistan to 198-5 in 20 overs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. In reply, Zimbabwe was restricted to 150-7 with Rashid Khan scalping 3-28 and Karim Janat picking up a couple of wickets for 14 runs. Fareed Ahmad, too, scalped 2-31.

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Opting to bat, Afghanistan reached 80 in just eight overs and after opener Janat was dismissed, skipper Asghar Afghan played a cameo of 55 off 38 deliveries. He crafted his innings with six boundaries and a couple of sixes.

The second match will be played at the same venue on Friday, followed by the third one on Saturday.