Afghanistan completed an impressive 8-wicket win Zimbabwe in the third and final ODI of their tour at Harare Sports Club. With this victory, Afghanistan won 2-0 after the first match was abandoned due to rain. The drama was highlighted by a great bowling display led by the 18-year-old Allah Ghazanfar and the expulsions made by the most advanced fighters in Afghanistan.
Zimbabwe innings: Struggle with power
Electing to bat first after losing the toss, Zimbabwe found themselves in trouble as the Afghanistan batsmen capitalized on skill. Zimbabwe's openers, Joylord Gumbie (3 off 14) and Ben Curran (12 off 31), struggled to get off to a good start. Craig Ervine's short-lived presence (5 off 5) was ended by a sharp spell from Azmatullah Omarzai.
The only resistance in Zimbabwe's innings came from veteran Sean Williams, who showed class and courage in his 60 off 61 balls, including 6 fours and 3 towering sixes. Sikandar Raza chipped in with 13 off 18, but the rest of the batsmen failed against Afghanistan's relentless batting. Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 127 in 30.1 overs.
Allah Ghazanfar was the star with the ball, taking a career-best 5/33 in his total of 10 overs. Rashid Khan provided excellent support, taking 3/38 in eight overs, while Fareed Malik and Omarzai took a wicket each.
Running Afghanistan: Stability and the hospital
Chasing 128, the Afghanistan openers provided a solid foundation. Sediqullah Atal led the way with a brilliant 52 off 50 balls, with four fours and two sixes. His aggressive performance ensured that there was no initial panic for the visitors. Abdul Malik played a patient 29 off 66, catching one end as Afghanistan built a stable partnership.
Rahmat Shah (17 off 23) and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (20 off 22) ensured there was no distraction in the chase, with Shahidi sealing the win by a margin. Afghanistan reached the milestone in just 26.5 oversincreasing in Zimbabwe.
For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava (1/32) and Trevor Gwandu (1/27) managed to take a wicket each, but their efforts were not enough to stop Afghanistan's march to victory.
🏆#NewCoverPhoto | | #AfghanAtalan | | #ZIMvFG | | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/61PRFSL7eY
– Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) December 21, 2024
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The main takeaway is to complete the list
Afghanistan's dominance in the series was evident, especially in their bowling department, where young talents like Ghazanfar stepped up. Ghazanfar's match-winning performance in the last ODI impressed the visitors.
In Zimbabwe, the series showed the need for consistency, especially in their batting line-up, which failed to perform under pressure. Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza remain their key players, but the team needs to improve as they focus on the opening game on December 26 at the Queens Sports Club.