Rashid Khan and Ryan Burl were involved in a heated exchange during the third T20I in Sharjah before the Afghanistan captain responded with a flying kiss.

Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by seven wickets to complete a 3-0 series sweep.

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan was involved in a tense on-field moment with Zimbabwe batter Ryan Burl during the third T20I at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on November 1. However, what began as a heated exchange between the two players took an unexpected turn when Rashid responded with a flying kiss, briefly bringing some humour to the situation.

The incident happened after Burl attempted a reverse sweep against Rashid but missed the ball and was struck on the front pad. The bowler appealed for LBW, but the umpire turned it down. A few deliveries later, the two players exchanged words, forcing the on-field umpires to intervene. Rashid then appeared to lighten the mood with his gesture towards Burl.

Rashid Khan and Ryan Burl exchange words

The confrontation began to intensify three deliveries after the unsuccessful LBW appeal. Rashid and Burl exchanged words, prompting umpire Ahmad Shah Pakteen to step in and separate them. The situation briefly flared up again after the over, with the second umpire, Farooq Khan, also having to intervene.

Rashid eventually chose a lighter response by blowing a flying kiss towards Burl. The moment stood out amid the tension between the two players and quickly became one of the talking points from the match. Burl was later dismissed for 30 off 29 deliveries, with five boundaries to his name. He was trapped LBW by Abdollah Ahmadzai and finished as Zimbabwe’s highest scorer.

Here’s the video:

Ryan Burl’s Anger Towards Rashid Khan, Followed by Love and Respect from Rashid at the End. pic.twitter.com/kYzJtbSA8M

— کرکټ معلومات (@Hafizabid019) November 1, 2026

Noor Ahmad’s five-wicket haul helps Afghanistan complete 3-0 sweep

While the exchange attracted attention, Afghanistan dominated the contest with the ball. Zimbabwe lost three early wickets for just 13 runs before Burl attempted to steady the innings. However, the visitors continued to lose wickets and were eventually bowled out for 79 in 14.3 overs. Noor Ahmad led the bowling attack with figures of 5/13, recording his first five-wicket haul in T20I cricket.

Rashid, meanwhile, bowled two overs and conceded just seven runs without taking a wicket. Afghanistan made light work of the 80-run target, reaching 80/3 in 8.1 overs. Ibrahim Zadran remained unbeaten on 25 as the hosts secured a seven-wicket victory and completed a 3-0 series whitewash.