Afghanistan will lock horns with Zimbabwe in the first match of the three-game T20I series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah on Tuesday, October 27.
Led by Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan is coming into this series after a 0-3 T20I series defeat to India in Delhi in September 2026. On the other hand, Zimbabwe, captained by Sikandar Raza, suffered a 48-run defeat to South Africa in the Tri-Series Final in September 2026.
AFG vs ZIM, T20I Series 2026, Match 1, Match Details
Match: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, T20I Series 2026, Match 1
Time & Date: 8:00 PM IST, Monday, January 27
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
AFG vs ZIM, T20I Series 2026, Match 1 Pitch Report
The average first innings score at this venue was 147 in the previous three T20Is played here. Any score above 180 would be a tough task for the chasing side. Interestingly, all three games saw the chasing sides come out on top.
AFG vs ZIM, T20I Series 2026, Match 1 Probable XIs
Afghanistan
Ibrahim Zadran (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Noor ul Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Shahidullah Kamal, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai
Zimbabwe
Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Wesley Madhavere, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri, Kundai Matigimu, Blessing Muzarabani
AFG vs ZIM, T20I Series 2026, Match 1 Winner Prediction
Match Winner: Afghanistan
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe have faced each other 18 times in this format, with Afghanistan dominating the head-to-head record with 16 wins, while Zimbabwe have managed just two victories. Given Afghanistan’s impressive record against Zimbabwe and the advantage of playing at home, they will be confident of securing another win in this fixture.
