AFG vs ZIM 1st T20I 2026: Prediction, Pitch Report & Squads

AFG vs ZIM 1st T20I preview

Afghanistan and Zimbabwe begin their UAE series with a T20I at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. The match starts at 8:00 PM IST.

The series, Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe in UAE, 2026, runs from 27 October to 13 November and comprises 5 matches across the T20I and Test formats.

Form guide

Afghanistan arrive after a tough run in the shortest format. They lost all three T20Is against India in September: by 7 wickets on 13 September, by 7 wickets on 15 September and by 127 runs on 17 September, when they were bowled out for 94 in 14.1 overs. Before that, they won an ODI against Ireland on 14 August by 6 wickets, finishing on 302/4 in 48.5 overs against Ireland’s 298/7. Their most recent recorded match was a drawn Test against Bangladesh on 9 October, in which they made 240 and 346/8 against Bangladesh’s 346 and 372/7.

Zimbabwe lost each of the five most recent matches recorded on MaidanBeat. India beat them in T20Is on 25 July by 90 runs, Zimbabwe being bowled out for 129 in 17.5 overs while India made 219/5, and again on 26 July by 35 runs. Australia then won all three ODIs in September. The last of those, on 20 September, was a one-wicket finish: Zimbabwe made 271/8 and Australia replied with 272/9 in 49.5 overs.

Head-to-head

Afghanistan have the stronger record in this pairing. Of the six T20Is between the sides in our records, they won five. Zimbabwe’s only win came on 11 December 2024, by 4 wickets, with 145/6 against Afghanistan’s 144/6.

The most recent T20I meeting, on 14 December 2024, went to Afghanistan by 3 wickets, with Zimbabwe all out for 127 in 19.5 overs and Afghanistan finishing on 128/7 in 19.3 overs. Before that, Afghanistan won by 50 runs on 13 December 2024, and they won all three T20Is in June 2022.

The two sides have also met in Tests and ODIs. Afghanistan won a Test by 72 runs on 2 January 2025 and drew the one before it, on 26 December 2024. They won two of the three ODIs in December 2024, with the other washed out by rain.

Squads and team news

According to the ICC, Ibrahim Zadran leads Afghanistan’s T20I squad for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, while Rahmat Shah continues as captain of the ODI and Test sides. Mohammad Nabi and Darwish Rasooli are the major absentees. Uncapped all-rounder Abdullah Tarakhil is included, Mohammad Akram has earned a call-up after his T20I debut at the 2026 Asian Games, and Ijaz Ahmadzai and Shahidullah Kamal have been recalled.

The ICC reports that Sikandar Raza captains Zimbabwe’s T20I squad, which also includes Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Ryan Burl and Tadiwanashe Marumani. Vincent Masekesa could make his T20I debut in this series. Innocent Kaia is recovering from a thigh strain, per Zimbabwe’s squad announcement, and Kundai Matigimu has been brought in to replace Brad Evans for the third T20I.

Separately, Wisden’s preview says Richard Ngarava is recovering from a back injury.

Venue

The match is at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, the opening venue of a tour that runs from 27 October to 13 November.

Our prediction

We lean towards Afghanistan. Their T20I head-to-head record against Zimbabwe is clearly in their favour, and Zimbabwe come in on a run of five defeats in the most recent matches recorded. Afghanistan’s own 3-0 loss to India is a concern, but the matchup history gives them the edge.