An all-round show from Azmatullah Omarzai, a four-wicket haul from Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and half-century from Ibrahim Zadran were the standouts as a clinical Afghanistan secured a 53-run win over Zimbabwe in the first T20I at Harare on Wednesday.

With this win, Afghanistan are 1-0 up in the three-match series. Chasing a 181-run target set by Afghanistan largely due to contributions of Zadran (52 in 33 balls, with six fours and a six), Zimbabwe was never really a threat with Mujeeb (4/20) and Omarzai (3/29) dominating the hosts.

Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first. A 76-run stand for the opening wicket started off things for Afghanistan as Zadran launched an assault on Zimbabwe’s line-up alongside Rahmanullah Gurbaz (39 in 25 balls, with five fours and a six) in just 7.4 overs.

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