India, Oct. 27 -- Afghanistan will take on Zimbabwe in the first T20I of their three-match series at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, October 27. The hosts enter the contest with confidence after winning the UAE ODI Tri-Series without losing a match against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. Afghanistan's spin-heavy attack could prove decisive on Sharjah's traditionally slow surface, with Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman expected to play key roles.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will be looking for a stronger batting performance after struggling against Afghanistan during the ODI series, where they were dismissed for 136 and 169 in separate matches. Captain Sikandar Raza will be central to their efforts to steady the innings, while pacer Bles...