Rashid’s Three Wickets, Zadran’s Fifty Secure Afghanistan Series Victory
Afghanistan secured a convincing victory in the T20I series against Zimbabwe, triumphing by seven wickets. The match took place in Harare, where Afghanistan chased down a target of 126, finishing at 129 for 3.
Key Performances in Afghanistan’s Victory
- Ibrahim Zadran: Scored 57 runs, marking his second consecutive fifty in T20 internationals.
- Rashid Khan: Exhibited a brilliant bowling performance, taking 3 wickets for just 9 runs.
- Mujeeb-ur-Rahman: Contributed significantly with 2 wickets for 26 runs.
- Abdollah Ahmadzai: Also took 2 wickets, helping to limit Zimbabwe to 125 all out.
Zimbabwe Struggles with Batting
Zimbabwe’s innings faltered early, with their batsmen struggling to score runs. Despite brief moments of resistance, including Sikandar Raza’s efforts, they could not build significant partnerships.
Early Wickets and Limited Runs
Dion Myers was dismissed while attempting a risky sweep against Mujeeb, leading to an early setback. Zimbabwe finished the powerplay at 34 for 2, facing intense pressure from Afghanistan’s bowlers.
Raza’s Resilience
Sikandar Raza entered during the fifth over and attempted to stabilize the innings with some quick runs. However, after Raza fell to Rashid Khan, Zimbabwe found themselves in a precarious position at 104 for 6.
Afghanistan’s Effective Chase
Afghanistan’s batting display was anchored by Ibrahim Zadran. They capitalized on the powerplay, scoring nine boundaries and taking control of the match with 54 runs at the end of the first six overs.
Middle Order Concerns
Despite their success, Afghanistan’s middle order raised concerns, as Sediqullah Atal and Darwish Rasooli combined for only 25 runs off 32 balls during critical middle overs.
In summary, Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling coupled with Zadran’s batting excellence led to a comprehensive victory, sealing the series against Zimbabwe and showcasing their potential on the international stage.
