In a thrilling encounter between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, Afghanistan emerged victorious by 50 runs, securing a commanding win in the 20-over format. The match, played in a high-pressure setting, saw Afghanistan post a competitive total of 153/6 in their allotted 20 overs, and then restrict Zimbabwe to just 103 all out in 17.4 overs. The performance was a testament to Afghanistan’s all-around skills, from explosive batting to clinical bowling.
Here’s an in-depth breakdown of the match, zimbabwe national cricket team vs afghanistan national cricket team match scorecard
Afghanistan’s Innings: zimbabwe national cricket team vs afghanistan national cricket team match scorecard
Afghanistan’s batting effort was solid, with contributions from almost every player. The innings started with openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal, who put up a quick partnership. However, the innings lost momentum as the middle order faced some resistance from the Zimbabwean bowlers. Despite a few wickets falling at regular intervals, Afghanistan managed to reach a competitive total.
| Batter | Runs | Balls Faced | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate | Mode of Dismissal |
| R. Gurbaz (wk) | 11 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 | c Ryan Burl b Trevor Gwandu |
| S. Atal | 18 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 150.00 | c Tashinga Musekiwa b Blessing Muzarabani |
| Z. Akbari | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 | run out (Wesley Madhevere) |
| D. Rasooli | 58 | 42 | 6 | 1 | 138.10 | c Sikandar Raza b Trevor Gwandu |
| A. Omarzai | 28 | 23 | 0 | 2 | 121.74 | c Brian Bennett b Ryan Burl |
| M. Nabi | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 57.14 | c Wesley Madhevere b Ryan Burl |
| G. Naib | 26 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 123.81 | not out |
| R. Khan (C) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 150.00 | not out |
| Extras | 4 | (W 3, LB 1) | ||||
| Total | 153/6 | (20 overs) |
Key Performers in Afghanistan’s Innings:
- Dawlat Rasooli played a brilliant knock of 58 runs off 42 balls, which was the highest score of the innings. His aggressive stroke play included 6 boundaries and 1 six, providing Afghanistan with the momentum they needed.
- Sediqullah Atal‘s cameo of 18 runs off 12 balls at a strike rate of 150 was also crucial in the early part of the innings, setting the stage for the middle order.
However, the Zimbabwean bowlers, particularly Ryan Burl (2/16 in 3 overs) and Trevor Gwandu (2/29 in 4 overs), made inroads with some key wickets, but Afghanistan’s total was still respectable, aided by the quickfire contributions from Gulbadin Naib (26) and the captain Rashid Khan (3*).
Zimbabwe’s Innings: zimbabwe national cricket team vs afghanistan national cricket team match scorecard
Zimbabwe’s chase got off to a rough start as they quickly lost wickets in a flurry. The Afghanistan bowlers took control right from the beginning, with Naveen-ul-Haq leading the charge with a stunning 3-wicket haul. Along with him, Rashid Khan (3/20) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/30) played pivotal roles in dismantling Zimbabwe’s batting lineup.
| Batter | Runs | Balls Faced | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate | Mode of Dismissal |
| B. Bennett | 27 | 26 | 2 | 1 | 103.85 | b Mujeeb Ur Rahman |
| T. Marumani (wk) | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 | c Azmatullah Omarzai b Naveen-ul-Haq |
| D. Myers | 4 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 57.14 | c Sediqullah Atal b Azmatullah Omarzai |
| W. Madhevere | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 57.14 | c Mohammad Nabi b Mujeeb Ur Rahman |
| S. Raza (C) | 35 | 30 | 2 | 1 | 116.67 | c Azmatullah Omarzai b Naveen-ul-Haq |
| R. Burl | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 | lbw b Rashid Khan |
| T. Musekiwa | 13 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 130.00 | c Zubaid Akbari b Naveen-ul-Haq |
| W. Masakadza | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 | c Naveen-ul-Haq b Rashid Khan |
| R. Ngarava | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | b Rashid Khan |
| B. Muzarabani | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 | b Fareed Ahmad |
| T. Gwandu | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20.00 | not out |
| Extras | 7 | (W 6, B 1) | ||||
| Total | 103/10 | (17.4 overs) |
Key Performers in Zimbabwe’s Innings: zimbabwe national cricket team vs afghanistan national cricket team match scorecard
- Sikandar Raza, the Zimbabwean captain, top-scored with 35 runs off 30 balls, showing some resistance in the middle overs. However, his innings was marred by a lack of support from his teammates.
- Brendan Bennett also contributed a valuable 27 runs off 26 balls, but his dismissal by Mujeeb Ur Rahman marked the beginning of a rapid collapse.
The Afghanistan bowlers, particularly Naveen-ul-Haq (3/19), proved too much for Zimbabwe, with wickets tumbling regularly. Rashid Khan (3/20) was also in top form, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/30) and Fareed Ahmad (1/23) further dismantled the lower order.
Afghanistan’s Bowling Performance:
Afghanistan’s bowling was outstanding, with their spinners and pacers creating consistent pressure throughout the Zimbabwean innings. The performance from Naveen-ul-Haq was a standout, taking 3 crucial wickets for just 19 runs in 4 overs. Rashid Khan, the captain, also led by example, taking 3 wickets for 20 runs in his 4-over spell, including a vital breakthrough in the middle overs.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy Rate |
| Naveen-ul-Haq | 4.0 | 19 | 3 | 4.75 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 4.0 | 30 | 2 | 7.50 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 2.0 | 10 | 1 | 5.00 |
| Fareed Ahmad | 3.4 | 23 | 1 | 6.27 |
| Rashid Khan (C) | 4.0 | 20 | 3 | 5.00 |
Conclusion:
Afghanistan’s clinical performance with both bat and ball ensured they secured a dominant 50-run victory against Zimbabwe. The standout performances from Dawlat Rasooli, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Rashid Khan were key to their success. While Zimbabwe showed flashes of resistance, they were ultimately outclassed by the all-round prowess of the Afghan side.