New Delhi, Oct. 27 -- Zimbabwe made a sharp start to the T20I series against Afghanistan, reducing the hosts to 31/3 at the end of the powerplay in the first match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

The early burst came only days after Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the ODI tri-series final. That gave Sikandar Raza's side every reason to come out firing in the shorter format.

Sikandar Raza won the toss and chose to field, and his bowlers backed the call almost at once. Afghanistan lost three wickets inside the first three overs, slipping from 11 without loss to 18/3 in the space of seven deliveries.

Brad Evans made the first breakthrough in the second over. Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran had struck a boundary...