India began their three-match T20I series in Harare with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe, led by Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s record 18-ball half-century on July 23, 2026. Chasing 126, the 15-year-old opener exploded from the start, reaching fifty in 18 balls and scoring 50 off 19 before departing with India well placed at 68 for 2.

Suryavanshi attacked Zimbabwe’s pace bowlers Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani early, including a ramp and a sequence of boundaries that put India in control. Ishan Kishan and captain Shreyas Iyer added an important 46-run third-wicket stand, with Kishan scoring 35 off 24. India’s bowlers, led by Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav, restricted Zimbabwe to 125 for 7 in 20 overs with all bowlers conceding under eight runs per over.

India secured the win with 40 balls remaining, moving 1-0 up in the series; Zimbabwe, wearing retro 1992 World Cup jerseys, must change approach in the remaining two matches to level the series.

The three-match T20 series between hosts Zimbabwe and Bangladesh begins today in Bulawayo, with the first match starting at 4:30 p.m. Bangladesh time. Several key Bangladeshi players, including Liton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, and Hasan Mahmud, are unavailable due to commitments in the Sri Lanka Premier League, while Mustafizur Rahman is sidelined by injury. Zimbabwe, led by Sikandar Raza, will play their first T20 series since the last World Cup.

Zimbabwe enters the series with confidence after winning both the Test and ODI series against Bangladesh earlier in the tour. They also carry momentum from their historic victories over Australia and co-host Sri Lanka in the previous T20 World Cup. Bangladesh, however, is looking to recover from a 3–0 home series defeat to Australia in June. The team’s morale is lifted by a win in the final ODI against Zimbabwe.

Young pacer Nahid Rana, who took seven wickets in the ODI series, is expected to play a key role in Mustafizur’s absence, supported by Shoriful Islam and newcomer Abdul Gaffar Saklain. Bangladesh has won 17 of the 25 T20 matches played between the two sides so far.