Series background and schedule
The series consists of three matches, preceded by a one-off Test match. All matches will be held at the Harare Sports Club.
| Match | History | Venue | Time (local) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | October 29, 2025 | Harare Sports Club, Harare | 01:30 PM (local) |
| 2nd T20I | October 31, 2025 | Harare Sports Club, Harare | 01:30 PM (local) |
| 3rd T20I | November 2, 2025 | Harare Sports Club, Harare | 01:30 PM (local) |
The series began with the first Test match, in which Zambia defeated Afghanistan by an innings and 73 runs.
Read Also: Pakistan Announces T20 & ODI Squads
Afghanistan T20 squad
| Player | Note / Character |
|---|---|
| Rashid Khan (Captain) | Lead spinner and captain |
| Ibrahim Zadran (Wicketkeeper Vice-Captain) | Batsman/Wicketkeeper |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Opener Wicketkeeper |
| Sediqullah Atal | Batsman/All-rounder |
| Darwish Rasooli | Batsman |
| Shahidullah Kamal | Batsman |
| Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai | All-rounder |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | All-rounder spinner |
| Prophet Muhammad | Senior all-rounder |
| Sharafuddin Ashraf | Sniper |
| Noor Ahmad | Leg spinner |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Left-arm spinner |
| Bashir Ahmad | Pace bowler/all-rounder |
| Fareed Ahmad Malik | Pace bowler |
| Abdullah Ahmadzai | Pace bowler |
Zambia T20 squad
| Player | Note / Character |
|---|---|
| Sikandar Raza (Captain) | All-rounder and cap |
| Brian Bennett | Young batsman |
| Ryan Burl | All-rounder |
| Graeme Cremer | Leg-spinner (return) |
| Brad Evans | Pace / All-rounder |
| Clive Madande | Wicketkeeper/Batsman |
| Thank you, Post Office. | Pace bowler |
| Welcome to Marumani | Young batsman |
| Wellington Masakadza | Sniper |
| Tony Munyonga | All-rounder |
| Tashinga Musekiwa | Pace bowler |
| Blessing Muzarabani | Fast bowler |
| Dion Myers | Batsman |
| Richard Ngarava | Pace bowler |
| Brendan Taylor | Wicketkeeper/Senior Batsman |
Match 1 – Highlights, Records and Analysis
- Afghanistan innings: 180/6 (20 overs)
- Zambia innings: 127 all out (16.1 overs)
- Result: Afghanistan beat Zambia by 53 runs
- Player of the Match: Azmatullah Omarzai
Batting and bowling competition
| Player | Team | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan | 52 | 33 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan | 39 | 25 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | Afghanistan | 28 | 18 |
| Player | Team | Overs | Wickets | Runs given |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Afghanistan | 4 | 4 | 23 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | Afghanistan | 3.2 | 3 | 19 |
| Sikandar Raja | Zambia | 4 | 2 | 28 |
Interesting tips and records
- Afghanistan maintained consistency in both batting and bowling in this match.
- Azmatullah Omarzai's all-round performance led the team to victory.
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman put on a show in bowling, taking 4 wickets.
- Zambia lost early wickets, which damaged their batting line-up.
- Afghanistan won the toss and decided to bat first, which proved to be an advantage.
Analysis and recommendations
Afghanistan played a game with complete strategy on the field — initially the batting laid the foundation, later the bowling kept up the momentum. Zambia resisted, but the early pressure and loss of wickets proved difficult for them.
If Zambia starts strongly in the next matches, with the middle order providing stability, then the competition could be even closer.
Conclusion
Afghanistan started the series in a good way. Zambia will now have to fight for their lives in the next matches if they want to take the series back. Fans will hope that the upcoming matches will be more thrilling.
