Afghanistan wrapped up a commanding 8-wicket victory over Zimbabwe within the third and remaining ODI of their tour on the Harare Sports activities Membership. With this win, Afghanistan secured a 2-0 sequence triumph after the primary recreation was deserted attributable to rain. The efficiency was highlighted by a dominant bowling show led by 18-year-old Allah Ghazanfar and a composed chase by Afghanistan’s top-order batters.
Zimbabwe’s innings: A wrestle for momentum
Opting to bat first after dropping the toss, Zimbabwe discovered themselves in early bother because the Afghan bowlers exploited the situations expertly. Zimbabwe’s openers, Joylord Gumbie (3 off 14) and Ben Curran (12 off 31), struggled to get the innings off to a strong begin. Craig Ervine’s (5 off 5) temporary keep was ended by a pointy supply from Azmatullah Omarzai.
The one resistance within the Zimbabwean innings got here from veteran Sean Williams, who displayed class and resilience with a counterattacking 60 off 61 balls, together with 6 fours and three towering sixes. Sikandar Raza chipped in with 13 off 18, however the remainder of the batting lineup faltered beneath Afghanistan’s relentless assault. Zimbabwe had been ultimately bowled out for a paltry 127 in 30.1 overs.
Allah Ghazanfar was the star with the ball, claiming a career-best 5/33 in his full quota of 10 overs. Rashid Khan supplied wonderful help, taking 3/38 in eight overs, whereas Fareed Malik and Omarzai picked up a wicket apiece.
Afghanistan’s chase: Regular and medical
Chasing 128, Afghanistan’s openers supplied a strong basis. Sediqullah Atal led the cost with a fluent 52 off 50 balls, laced with 4 fours and two sixes. His aggressive strategy ensured there have been no early jitters for the guests. Abdul Malik performed a affected person knock of 29 off 66, holding one finish as Afghanistan constructed a gradual partnership.
Rahmat Shah (17 off 23) and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (20 off 22) ensured there have been no hiccups within the chase, with Shahidi sealing the win with a boundary. Afghanistan reached the goal in simply 26.5 overs, comfortably outpacing Zimbabwe’s paltry complete.
For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava (1/32) and Trevor Gwandu (1/27) managed to choose up a wicket every, however their efforts had been inadequate to halt Afghanistan’s march to victory.
𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒 🏆#NewCoverPhoto | #AfghanAtalan | #ZIMvAFG | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/61PRFSL7eY
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) December 21, 2024
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Key takeaways and sequence wrap-up
Afghanistan’s dominance within the sequence was evident, notably of their bowling division, the place younger abilities like Ghazanfar rose to the event. Ghazanfar’s match-winning efficiency within the remaining ODI capped a formidable sequence for the guests.
For Zimbabwe, the sequence highlighted the necessity for larger consistency, notably of their batting lineup, which did not ship beneath strain. Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza stay their standout gamers, however the group will want collective enchancment as they shift their focus to the Check sequence beginning on December 26 at Queens Sports activities Membership.
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