3rd ODI
Allah Ghazanfar’s five-wicket haul has secured a series whitewash for Afghanistan
Zimbabwe scored 127 all out in 30.1 overs, where as Afghanistan scored 131/2 in 26.5 overs.
So, finally Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 8 wickets.
An impressive five-wicket haul from 18-year-old spinner AM Ghazanfar triggered another batting collapse from Zimbabwe in the third and final ODI, guiding Afghanistan to a commanding eight-wicket victory and securing a 2-0 series win.
Zimbabwe, sent in to bat on a fresh pitch, were bowled out for just 127 in 31 overs, a total Afghanistan chased down with 23.1 overs to spare at Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe’s start was tentative, following their dramatic collapse to 54 all-out in the previous match.
It was no surprise when Azmatullah Omarzai began with a maiden over, and Zimbabwe’s first boundary came in the fifth over when Ben Curran drove a loose delivery to long-off.
Ghazanfar, who had three wickets in the last match, was introduced during the PowerPlay and wasted no time, striking in his fifth delivery.
He had Joylord Gumbie caught off a top-edged sweep, his first of five wickets on the day.
Before Ghazanfar could bowl again, Azmatullah Omarzai had dismissed Craig Ervine with a superb delivery that took the outside edge.
A brief recovery came from Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams, who top-scored with a run-a-ball 60, adding 36 runs for the fourth wicket.
However, Rashid Khan broke the partnership by removing Raza and Brian Bennett in his first two overs.
With the game slipping away from Zimbabwe, Ghazanfar capitalized, taking two wickets in consecutive balls for his second five-wicket haul in just his 11th ODI, as Zimbabwe’s batters struggled to cope with Afghanistan’s spin attack.
Richard Ngarava, playing his 50th ODI, was the only Zimbabwe batter to reach double figures besides Williams, and he was the last to fall as Zimbabwe’s total proved too inadequate to defend.
Afghanistan’s response was measured, reflecting the challenging conditions of the pitch.
Abdul Malik held one end with a steady knock, while Sediqullah Atal scored a run-a-ball 50, anchoring the chase.
The solid opening stand set up the chase, and despite the quick fall of both openers, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi took Afghanistan home, needing just 35 more runs to seal another dominant win on the tour.
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