Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by 232 runs at the Harare Sports Club, their largest victory by runs. Opener Sediqullah Atal hit his first ODI century, and off-spinner A.M. Ghazanfar collected 3-9.
Afghanistan reached 286/6 in their 50 overs after Atal and his opening partner Abdul Malik, who were sent into batting first on a bright Thursday morning, had a 191-run opening partnership and struck 104 and 84 runs, respectively. Ghazanfar led Zimbabwe’s reply, but they failed to get going and were bowled out for just 54 in 17.5 overs. Additionally, it’s the joint-lowest number of times Afghanistan has ever dismissed a team in their ODI cricket history.
After the first ODI was called off due to weather, Afghanistan now leads the three-match series 1-0. Given that Rahmanullah Gurbaz was unable to participate in the current trip because of a quadriceps injury and Ibrahim Zadran is currently healing from an ankle ailment, they would be happy with the way Atal and Malik stood up for the squad.
Atal and Malik were able to easily crush Zimbabwe’s bowlers because they were consistently hitting boundaries. Hashmatullah Shahidi (29 not out) and Mohammad Nabi (18) sent them over 280 even though Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai fell.
After Omarzai and Fazalhaq Farooqi swept through the top order in the first 10 overs, Ghazanfar deceived Zimbabwe to defend the high total. Afghanistan won handily thanks to fast bowler Naveed Zadran, who ripped through the lower order to finish with 3–13.
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will travel to Bulawayo for the Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests after Saturday’s third and final match of the series at the Harare Sports Club.
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Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will travel to Bulawayo for the Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests after Saturday’s third and final match of the series at the Harare Sports Club.
Topics #Afghanistan Cricket #cricket #ODI Records