Rashid Khan first bowler to 200 T20I wickets as Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 19 runs to seal series

Afghanistan star leg-spinner Rashid Khan became the first bowler in history to take 200 wickets in T20 internationals, reaching the landmark in his 120th match during the second T20I against Zimbabwe in Sharjah.

Rashid's milestone came on a day when Afghanistan recovered from a disastrous start to post 221 for 7 and then held off a spirited Zimbabwe chase to win by 19 runs, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

The next name on the all-time T20I wicket-takers list is England's Adil Rashid, with 171 wickets in 153 matches, which underlines how quickly the Afghan spinner has reached a mark no bowler had touched before in the format's shortest version.

Rashid has long been Afghanistan's biggest bowling weapon, with a leg-spin and googly combination that batters still struggle to read, along with a knack for striking under pressure that has made him one of the finest T20 bowlers in the world.

Omarzai rescues Afghanistan after 5 for 4

In the match itself, Rashid played his part with the ball too, taking 1 for 29 in four overs, with the wicket of Tadiwanashe Marumani, as Afghanistan defended their total.

Afghanistan's innings had begun dreadfully, with four wickets falling for just 5 runs inside the powerplay, before Azmatullah Omarzai took charge with a blistering 116 off 50 balls, including 12 sixes and 5 fours.

Omarzai shared a 142-run stand for the sixth wicket with Ijaz Ahmadza, who made 52, and the partnership carried Afghanistan to a total that looked impossible when the top order collapsed.

Raza hundred in vain

Zimbabwe fought hard in reply, led by captain Sikandar Raza, who finished unbeaten on 106 off 56 balls, but the visitors could only reach 202 for 5 in their 20 overs.

Raza's century kept Zimbabwe in the contest until late, yet Afghanistan's bowlers held their nerve at the death to close out a 19-run win and with it the series.

Third match on November 1

The third and final T20I of the series will be played on November 1, with Afghanistan already holding an unassailable lead and Zimbabwe playing for pride.