AFG vs ZIM 2nd T20I Match Prediction: Can Afghanistan Seal the Series at Sharjah?

Afghanistan will look to seal their three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe when the two sides meet again at Sharjah on Thursday, October 29. Afghanistan won the opening match by 37 runs on October 27, and a second win would wrap up the series with a match to spare.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, need a win to stay alive in the series. They reached the final of the recent UAE ODI tri-series, beating Bangladesh along the way, but they have now lost three straight matches to Afghanistan across formats, including the tri-series final on October 23.

AFG vs ZIM 2nd T20I Match Details and Live Telecast

Detail	Information
Match	Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, 2nd T20I
Series	Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe in UAE, 3-match T20I series
Date	Thursday, October 29, 2026
Time	8:00 PM IST (6:30 PM GST, 7:30 PM PKT)
Venue	Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Live streaming in India	FanCode
Other broadcast	Ariana Television in Afghanistan, Willow TV in USA and Canada, A Sports and Tamasha in Pakistan
Series status	Afghanistan lead 1-0

AFG vs ZIM 1st T20I Result and Series Context

The first T20I at Sharjah was a tale of two recoveries. Afghanistan were reduced to 31 for 3 in the powerplay and 66 for 5 in the 12th over, before Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai changed the game with a blistering 52 off 22 balls, including four fours and four sixes. Shahidullah Kamal anchored the innings with 46 off 42 balls, and Rashid Khan smashed 30 off just 10 balls at the death to lift Afghanistan to 177 all out in 19.5 overs.

Zimbabwe’s chase never got going on a slow, grippy pitch. Ryan Burl top-scored with 32, and Zimbabwe were bowled out for 140 in 19.1 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi took 3 for 13, Rashid Khan claimed 2 for 20, and Rashid was named Player of the Match for his 30 off 10 balls and 2 for 20. Afghanistan’s win gave them a 20-2 head-to-head record against Zimbabwe in T20 internationals.

That result followed Afghanistan’s tri-series triumph over Zimbabwe in the same city, when they won the final by seven wickets after Ibrahim Zadran’s unbeaten 70. Zimbabwe will know they need a far better batting display to compete at Sharjah.

Afghanistan Team Preview and Squad Strength

Afghanistan’s squad is built around world-class spin and explosive lower-order hitting. Captain Ibrahim Zadran leads a batting group that includes Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai, while Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad give them three frontline spin options on a turning Sharjah surface.

The first T20I also showed Afghanistan’s depth. When the top order failed, Ahmadzai and Shahidullah rebuilt the innings, and Rashid finished it. With the ball, Farooqi’s new-ball swing and Rashid’s control make Afghanistan very hard to score against in the middle overs.

Afghanistan squad: Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Noor Rahman (wicketkeeper), Sediqullah Atal, Mohammad Akram, Shahidullah Kamal, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Abdullah Tarakhail, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Fareed Ahmad Malik.

Zimbabwe Team Preview and Squad Strength

Zimbabwe are led by the experienced Sikandar Raza, and their squad mixes seasoned campaigners with new faces. Ryan Burl and Brian Bennett provide batting firepower, Blessing Muzarabani leads the pace attack, and Wellington Masakadza offers spin control. Brad Evans plays only the first two matches of the series, with Kundai Matigimu coming in for the third.

The bowling was not Zimbabwe’s problem in the first T20I. Newman Nyamhuri took 4 for 31 and Brad Evans claimed 2 for 34 as Afghanistan were bowled out for 177 despite a flying finish. The batting, though, managed only 140, and Zimbabwe need a top-order batter to play a long innings rather than a series of short cameos.

Zimbabwe squad: Sikandar Raza (captain), Ben Curran, Blessing Muzarabani, Brad Evans, Brian Bennett, Innocent Kaia, Kundai Matigimu, Newman Nyamhuri, Ryan Burl, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Wessly Madhevere.

Sharjah Cricket Stadium Pitch Report

Sharjah’s pitch for the first T20I was described as exceedingly slow and grippy, and it stayed slow throughout the game. Batters who tried to hit through the line early struggled, while those who used the pace of the ball and targeted the shorter boundaries fared better. Spinners and slower balls were the most effective weapons.

A similar surface is expected for the second T20I, which again favours Afghanistan’s spin trio and Zimbabwe’s slower bowlers. A total around 160 to 170 could be match-winning here, as Afghanistan’s 177 proved more than enough in the opener. Teams winning the toss may prefer to bat first and let scoreboard pressure do its work.

AFG vs ZIM 2nd T20I Probable Playing XIs

Afghanistan probable XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran (captain), Sediqullah Atal, Shahidullah Kamal, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik.

Zimbabwe probable XI: Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Sikandar Raza (captain), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Vincent Masekesa.

Key Battles in the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2nd T20I

Rashid Khan vs Sikandar Raza: This is the marquee contest of the series. Raza is Zimbabwe’s most important batter and a handy bowler himself, but Rashid’s leg-spin has troubled him before, and Rashid’s all-round display won the first match.

Fazalhaq Farooqi vs Brian Bennett: Farooqi’s 3 for 13 in the opener included early wickets that set the tone. Bennett’s aggressive starts are Zimbabwe’s best route to a competitive total.

Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai vs Newman Nyamhuri: Ahmadzai’s 52 off 22 balls turned the first T20I around, while Nyamhuri’s 4 for 31 was Zimbabwe’s best bowling performance. Their rematch could again decide the momentum.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman vs Ryan Burl: Burl top-scored for Zimbabwe in the first match with 32. Mujeeb’s mystery spin in the powerplay and middle overs is designed to stop exactly that kind of anchoring innings.

AFG vs ZIM 2nd T20I Prediction: Who Will Win?

Afghanistan are clear favourites. They have won 20 of 22 T20 internationals against Zimbabwe, they have just beaten them in the tri-series final and the first T20I, and Sharjah’s slow pitch suits their spin attack perfectly. Their batting depth, shown by the recovery from 66 for 5, means even a poor start does not end their innings.

Zimbabwe’s path to victory requires a big score from Raza or Burl, disciplined death bowling to deny Rashid another cameo, and a fielding display without the lapses that cost them in the opener. It is possible, but Afghanistan have answered every Zimbabwe challenge in this UAE tour so far.

Prediction: Afghanistan to beat Zimbabwe in the 2nd T20I and seal the series 2-0.

AFG vs ZIM 2nd T20I FAQs

When is the AFG vs ZIM 2nd T20I?

The match is on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, starting at 8:00 PM IST.

Where can I watch the AFG vs ZIM 2nd T20I live in India?

The match will be streamed live on FanCode in India.

What happened in the 1st T20I?

Afghanistan scored 177 all out and bowled Zimbabwe out for 140 to win by 37 runs, with Rashid Khan named Player of the Match. For Afghanistan’s earlier win over Zimbabwe in the UAE, read our AFG vs ZIM ODI final match prediction and our AFG vs ZIM ODI final match result.

Who are the players to watch?

Rashid Khan, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai and Fazalhaq Farooqi for Afghanistan, and Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl and Newman Nyamhuri for Zimbabwe.