Mohammad Nabi-inspired Afghanistan stun Zimbabwe by 58 runs

Playing his 53^rd ODI, Mohammad Nabi scored his maiden ODI century on Sunday

Afghanistan, inspired by Mohammad Nabi’s maiden ODI century, defeated Zimbabwe by 58 runs in the 2^nd ODI at Bulawayo on Sunday. Chasing the target of 272 set by the visitors, Zimbabwe were bundled out for 213 in 46.4 overs thus setting up an intriguing decider on Tuesday.

Zimbabwe went into the match with the same side that won convincingly in the series opener on Friday, deciding against picking the fit-again Sean Williams in the eleven while Afghanistan handed a debut to highly promising 17-year-old leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who has already drawn comparisons to Shahid Afridi with Shapoor Zadran making way.

Afghanistan skipper Asghar Stanikzai won the toss and decided to bat first on the hard and dry pitch that looked ideal for batting though overcast conditions meant the home bowlers too had an opportunity to make some early inroads. That didn't suffice however as Noor Ali Zadran and Nabi’s 133-run partnership for the second wicket laid the foundation of an impressive total for the visitors.

Tinashe Panyangara managed to dismiss Mohammad Shahzad cheaply, but Zadran, who played a patient knock of 60, ably supported the 30-year-old Nabi who was playing an aggressive knock at the other end. Playing his 53^rd ODI, the former skipper notched up his first century. Following his dismissal at 116, a knock which included six huge sixes, Stanikzai and Samiullah Shenwari provided the final push as Afghanistan ended their fifty overs at 271/6.

For Zimbabwe, Panyangara and Mutombodzi picked up two wickets each though neither of them completed their quota of ten overs.

The Zimbabwean reply got off on the wrong note as Chamu Chibhabha was dismissed in the fourth over. The other batsmen were guilty of failing to build on their starts as Mutumbami, Ervine and Mutumbodzi all fell after doing the hard work. The wickets of the latter two and Sikandar Raza fell with the addition of just eight runs to the Zimbabwean scorecard and with the score at 123/5 after 30 overs, Afghanistan starting sniffing victory.

The bowlers continued to ball economical overs and with skipper Elton Chigumbura failed to rotate the strike, the required rate went over 10-an over. Luke Jongwe valiantly fought with a knock of 46 from 32 balls but in the end it was too little too late as the hosts fell short by 58 runs.

Brief Scores:

Afghanistan won the toss and decided to bat first

Afghanistan 271/6 (Nabi 116, Zadran 60; Mutombodzi 2/40)

Zimbabwe 213 all out 46.4 overs (Jongwe 46; Shenwari 2/23)

Afghanistan won by 58 runs; Series level at 1-1.