Zimbabwe He registered a solid four-wicket win more Afghanistan In the first T20I in Harare. Chasing a target of 145, Zimbabwe reached 145/6 with no balls to spare. Brian Bennett He anchored the innings with 49 off 49, earning him the Player of the Match award. Earlier, Afghanistan scored 144/6 led by Karim JannatUndefeated 54 and Muhammad is a prophetRapidfire 44. Zimbabwe bowlers led by Richard Shipp (3/28) He kept Afghanistan under control. Despite losing wickets at crucial moments, Zimbabwe's lower order is guided We are brave enough to be laughed atThe unbeaten Top 16 team secured a thrilling finish, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Afghanistan set a modest goal with the performances of Mohammad Nabi and Karim Janat
Batting first after winning the toss, Afghanistan managed 144/6 in their 20 overs. The innings started off as poorly Rahman Allah Gurbaz He fell in love with the duck, and Sediqullah Atal and Muhammad Ishaq Followed cheaply. However, Jannat played a crucial knock, remaining unbeaten with 54 off 49 balls, supported by 44 off 27 balls. The duo added stability to the innings, ensuring a competitive total. Zimbabwe's bowlers, especially Ngarava (3/28), consistently batted at crucial moments to keep Afghanistan's run rate in check.
Brian Bennett anchors Zimbabwe's chase
Zimbabwe's chase of 145 revolved around Bennett's 49 steady balls off 49 balls. Despite the early hiccups, with We found Maromane After falling for 9, Bennett held the innings together. His partnerships with Dion Myers (32) Others kept Zimbabwe on track. The hosts faced moderate fluctuation, but Bennett's resilience ensured they stayed in the game. Naven the truth3/33 and Rashid KhanZimbabwe batsmen were tested for 2/26, but Bennett's knock provided the basis for victory.
Read also: ZIM vs AFG 2024: date, match time, broadcast and live stream details
A dramatic finish decides the match in favor of Zimbabwe
The match came to a close, with Zimbabwe needing 17 points from the last two matches. Mosekiwa (16 not out) and Wellington Masakadza (6 not out) held their nerve, ensuring the team crossed the line from the last ball. Afghanistan's bowlers, especially Rashid, created the pressure, but Zimbabwe's lower order rose to the occasion. This thrilling win gave Zimbabwe a 1-0 lead in the series and demonstrated their ability to shine in high-pressure situations.
Here's how Twitter reacted:
Now this is how you end a Musekiwa game. Well played Zim. We left it too late but we don't care. #ZIMvAFG
– jt_foxy29 (@Johnmugava) December 11, 2024
Match won by knockout. Tashinga Mosekiwa played well. Zimbabwe won the first T20I by four wickets. 3 wickets by Richard Ngarava 3/28. Brian Bennett played well 49 (49).#ZIMvAFG @ZimCricketv @richardrabidza
– Jaishan (Vaidhya Jaya Shankar) (@jayshan) December 11, 2024
Zimbabwe won the first T20 match against Afghanistan, chasing down the target on the last ball of the match! #ZIMvAFG
— Aqdas Rehman (@AqdasRehman) December 11, 2024
Zimbabwe have just won two matches in a row on the thriller. They have beaten the top four Asian teams of India, Pakistan, SL and Afghanistan in T20Is this year.
– Aman Patel (@lilbrownykid) December 11, 2024
Zimbabwe eliminates Afghanistan with full force in Harare! 🇿🇼🇿🇼 Congratulations guys! pic.twitter.com/jGBtyY5osU
– Adam Theo🇿🇼🏏 (@AdamTheofilatos) December 11, 2024
This is the moment! We have a new hero in town “Tash” Mosekiwa, 🇿🇼🇿🇼🇿🇼! Congratulations to win this series kune ma US$6500 arikupihwa na President 🇿🇼🇿🇼🇿🇼#chevron🇿🇼🇿🇼🇿🇼🇿🇼 pic.twitter.com/YnS87kiAbt
– Freddy Michael Masarerevo (@FreddyMM93) December 11, 2024
Zimbabwe in 2024-
Won the T20 title against Sri Lanka🇱🇰
Won the T20 tournament against Bangladesh🇧🇩
Won T20 against India🇮🇳
Both ODI and T20 wins against Pakistan🇵🇰
Won the T20 Championship against Afghanistan🇦🇫*
Beat all Asian teams (play test) #ZIMvAFG #T20 #crickettwitter pic.twitter.com/b0JdHHU8Ol– Kazi Tanveer Hussain 🇧🇩 (@kt16tanvir) December 11, 2024
Zimbabwe won their first match of the tour against India and lost the remaining matches, the same to Pakistan and have now won their first match of the tour against Afghanistan.
– Middle-class Chandler (@MC_Chandler01) December 11, 2024
Zimbabwe wins two T20Is in a row for the first time in over 3 years!
— Cricket Central 🇿🇼 🏏 (@CricketCentral) December 11, 2024
Zimbabwe and Afghanistan
What a match 😮😮😮#zimvsafg #cricket– Vishal Singh (@V900Vishal) December 11, 2024
