Cricket

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2nd T20 Preview & Tips - Rashid Khan to lead Afghanistan into 2-0 series lead over Zimbabwe

By Ben Darvill

2 hours ago

Ben Darvill 2 hours ago

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Afghanistan lead the three-game series 1-0 with two matches to play
Rashid Khan took 2/20 in the first ODI
Preview, stats & head to head

Afghanistan's Rashid Khan (Getty Images)

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2nd T20 Preview & Tips
Head To Head
Afghanistan Form
Zimbabwe Form

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2nd T20 Preview & Tips

Afghanistan cruised to a statement 37-run win over Zimbabwe in their T20 series opener as they were able to easily defend a score of 177.

Zimbabwe struggled to keep up with the required rate as their entire top-order failed to go at above a strike rate of 100.00 in a 37-run loss.

Rashid Khan has taken 17 wickets in 11 T20 matches in 2026
Zimbabwe have lost their last two T20's

Head To Head

Across their previous 10 T20 meetings, Afghanistan have secured nine wins while Zimbabwe have won once.

Afghanistan Form

Afghanistan steadied themselves after wobbling in the first T20 as the side found themselves teetering at 18/3. With three of their top-four departing for 11 runs between them, Shahidullah's 46 from 42 and Ijaz Ahmadzai's 52 from 22 were crucial, while Rashid Khan's late cameo saw him smash 30 from 10 with this including four sixes.

Their score of 177 always looked to be right on the edge of what Zimbabwe could muster, but it proved beyond them as Afghanistan bowled their opponents out for 140. Rashid Khan was once again among the wickets as the spinner took 2/20 in an impressive display of bowling.

The second T20 is one I back Khan and Afghanistan to star in once again. They looked good with the ball and rallied well with the bat in the first T20. Nine wins in their last 10 against their opponent is a very good record, and I back them to add another victory to their tally as they go 2-0 up in the series.

Zimbabwe Form

Zimbabwe were right in the game after restricting Afghanistan to 18/2 after three overs. However, they could not land the killer blow to really restrict their opponents as they battled back to post a target of 178.

No batter could really match the exploits of Newman Nyamhuri's 4/31 with the ball as Ryan Burl's top score of 32 proved insufficient. With six single-figure scores on the day, Zimbabwe's batting unit struggled to come to terms with the pitch.

Across their last 10 T20's, Zimbabwe have only secured two wins, losing the other eight. This series is far more winnable than previous clashes against the likes of India and South Africa, but I still back Zimbabwe to slump to a defeat in the second T20 as they slide closer to another series loss.

Verdict

Afghanistan v Zimbabwe 2nd T20

I am backing Rashid Khan to impress once again as Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe in the second T20.

Afghanistan

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Khan 2+ Wickets

Bowler Milestones

@-163.93 - 1 Unit