Sikandar Raza Smashes Unbeaten T20I Century as Afghanistan Secures Series Win in Sharjah

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza scored an unbeaten century against Afghanistan in the second T20I in Sharjah on Thursday, setting multiple records despite his team's defeat. Afghanistan won the match by 19 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Match Details and Result

• Teams: Afghanistan vs. Zimbabwe (Second T20I)
• Venue: Sharjah
• Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
• Format: Men's T20 International
• Result: Afghanistan won by 19 runs (Afghanistan 221/7, Zimbabwe 202/5)

Raza's Historic Knock

Sikandar Raza scored 106 not out off 56 balls, hitting five fours and nine sixes. With this innings, the 40-year-old became the first Zimbabwean batter to score two T20I centuries. At 40 years and 188 days old, he also became the oldest batter from a Full Member nation to score a T20I century.

Zimbabwe faced early trouble during the chase, slipping to 82 for five. Raza then combined with debutant Tafadzwa Tsiga, who contributed 31 not out from 23 balls. The pair forged an unbroken 120-run partnership for the sixth wicket, but Zimbabwe's total reached 202 for five, falling 19 runs short of the 221-run target.

Afghanistan's Recovery

Batting first, Afghanistan experienced a dramatic top-order collapse, struggling at 38 for five and later 45 for five. Brad Evans took two wickets in the opening over, Kundai Matigimu claimed two in two balls, and debutant Vincent Masekesa picked up another.

However, Azmatullah Omarzai and Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai staged a remarkable recovery with a 142-run partnership for the sixth wicket, guiding Afghanistan to 221 for seven.

Records Set in the Match

• Sikandar Raza: Oldest Full Member player to score a T20I century (40 years, 188 days) and Zimbabwe's first player with two T20I hundreds.
• Rashid Khan: Became the first bowler in men's T20I cricket to reach 200 career wickets.

Readers can verify the original announcement through official cricket boards and scorecards.