Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - 3rd ODI: Second win for Afghanistan against a full-member nation

Afghanistan and Zimbabwe players after the 3rd ODI match at Bulawayo

Afghanistan registered a 2-wicket win over hosts Zimbabwe in the third ODI of the 4-match series, on Tuesday at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. Chasing 261, the Asian side made an emphatic comeback in the last five overs to register only their second win over a full-member nation in their cricketing history.

Afghanistan required 61 runs from 30 balls with 4 wickets in hand, and they reached home with 2 balls and 2 wickets to spare. Dawlat Zadran hit 4 sixes in 7 balls to leave Zimbabwe in shock. 25 runs came off the 47th over despite the run-out of captain Mohammad Nabi, who scored 42 off 40 deliveries before being dismissed.

Javed Ahmadi and Usman Ghani’s 83-run opening stand gave the visitors a blazing start before the slump in the middle overs sent the required run-rate up. Samiullah Shenwari and Nasir Jamal scored 41 and 28 but consumed 70 and 49 balls in the process, thereby allowing Zimbabwe to come back into the game. Sean Williams starred with the ball for the African team picking up 2 wickets for 33 runs in 10 overs. Natsai M’shangwe contributed with 2 for 50.

Earlier in the day, Zimbabwe, riding on Hamilton Masakadza’s 84, posted 260 for the loss of 8 wickets. Captain Brendan Taylor played a steady hand of 53 from 81 balls that turned out to be too slow in the end as the home team lost the match. Sean (49) made valuable contributions with the bat, as well. Dawlat and Aftab Alam picked up two wickets each.

Zimbabwe lead the series 2-1 with the decider to be played on Thursday. Afghanistan’s first win over a full-member nation also came this year: against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup.