Noor Ahmad led the bowling attack with his maiden five-wicket haul in T20Is. Debutant Abdullah Tarakhail also made an impression, claiming two wickets, including the prized dismissal of Sikandar Raza.
Zimbabwe struggled throughout their innings and were bowled out for just 79 runs. It was their second-lowest total in T20I cricket.
Ryan Burl and Wessly Madhevere were the only batters to reach double figures. The remaining batting lineup failed to make significant contributions as Afghanistan’s bowlers took wickets at regular intervals.
Noor Ahmad was the standout performer, claiming five wickets to record his first five-wicket haul in the format. His spell kept Zimbabwe under pressure and prevented them from building any meaningful partnerships.
Debutant Abdullah Tarakhail also enjoyed an impressive outing. He picked up two wickets, with his first T20I dismissal being that of Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza.
Interestingly, every Afghanistan bowler except Rashid Khan claimed at least one wicket in the 3rd T20 against Zimbabwe. This reflected the collective effort of the bowling unit.
After the match, Tarakhail spoke about his experience of making his international debut. He described the occasion as a dream come true, particularly because Rashid Khan presented him with his debut cap.
The youngster also recalled a conversation with Rashid in 2025, when he expressed his hope of eventually representing Afghanistan alongside him. He thanked the captain, teammates and coaching staff for helping him settle into international cricket.
Tarakhail also discussed the circumstances behind his first T20I wicket. He had not expected to bowl during the Powerplay, but Ibrahim Zadran called him into the attack.
Rashid and Ibrahim encouraged him to rely on his strongest delivery rather than attempt anything unusual. Tarakhail followed their advice, trusted his variations and eventually dismissed Raza.
He also addressed comparisons between his bowling action and those of Lasith Malinga and Shaun Tait. Tarakhail clarified that his action comes naturally and is not modelled on either bowler. His domestic coaches have encouraged him to retain his natural style.
Afghanistan carried their advantage into the chase and completed the formalities without much difficulty. Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal contributed scores in the twenties, while Azmatullah Omarzai added 18 runs.
Zimbabwe managed to claim three wickets during the chase. Ernest Masuku picked up two, while Blessing Muzarabani took one wicket in his 100th T20I appearance.
However, their total of 79 left them with very little room for error. Afghanistan comfortably completed the chase to secure another victory.
The result of 3rd T20 confirmed a 3-0 series sweep for Afghanistan over Zimbabwe. Although Zimbabwe showed some resistance in the earlier matches, the hosts finished the series with a comprehensive all-round performance.
