Afghanistan took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. On Friday, October 31, the Blue Tigers defeated the Chevrons by seven wickets in another one-sided match at the Harare Sports Club.
Sikandar Raza won the toss in the must-win clash for the home side and opted to bat first. Brian Bennett and Dion Myers batted cautiously to form an opening partnership of 22 runs. However, they were dismissed in successive overs by Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Fareed Ahmad respectively.
Experienced Brendan Taylor followed up his duck in the first match with three runs and was again dismissed by Mujeeb. Raza tried to play the role of anchor but did not get much support from the other batters. Tony Munyonga hit three boundaries but could not convert his start into a big score.
The likes of Ryan Burl, Tasinga Musekiwa and Brad Evans also failed to make money after spending some time in the middle. Raza was dismissed in the 17th over for a 32-ball 37. Musekiwa also departed in the same over. Brad Evans hit a couple of boundaries towards the end of the innings before Zimbabwe were bowled out for 125 in 19.3 overs. Afghan skipper Rashid Khan was the choice of the bowlers, who bagged three wickets in as many overs and conceded just nine runs.
In reply, Afghanistan lost the wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the third over. Sediqullah Atal, who came to bat at number 3, was dismissed cheaply. However, Afghanistan had put down almost half the runs they needed for a win.
Darwish Rasooli provided good support to Ibrahim Zadran as the duo led the tourists to the target with calm cricket. After Rasooli was dismissed for a 20-ball 17, Azmatullah Omarzai helped Afghanistan gallop home.
The all-rounder hit 25 off just 13 deliveries and remained unbeaten against Zadran, who made a 51-ball 57*. This was his second consecutive fifty in the series. Afghanistan won by two more surpluses.
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