Cricket Highlights, Dec 21: Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe (3rd ODI) – Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan

ZIM vs AFG (3rd ODI) – Highlights

In this article, we will discuss the third and final ODI between ZIM and AFG, held on December 21, 2024, at the Harare Sports Club. This match was a part of Afghanistan’s tour of Zimbabwe, showcasing the contrasting fortunes of the two teams. Afghanistan delivered a commanding performance, securing a dominant 8-wicket victory with a whopping 139 balls to spare. Zimbabwe, batting first, managed to post a modest total of 127 runs, which Afghanistan chased down effortlessly in just 26.5 overs.

Zimbabwe, batting first, struggled against a disciplined AFG bowling attack and were bundled out for a mere 127 runs in just 30.1 overs. The Afghan spinners, led by AM Ghazanfar and Rashid Khan, were the chief architects of Zimbabwe’s downfall, combining to take eight wickets and stifling the Zimbabwean batting lineup.

Zimbabwe’s innings began with a cautious start, but early breakthroughs by Ghazanfar left them reeling. Joylord Gumbie was the first to depart, caught behind for a painstaking 3 off 14 balls. Craig Ervine and Ben Curran soon followed, contributing only 5 and 12 runs, respectively. With the top order back in the pavilion by the ninth over, Zimbabwe leaned heavily on their experienced middle-order players, Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza, to stabilize the innings.

Sean Williams displayed resilience, playing a counter-attacking knock of 60 runs off 61 balls, which included six boundaries and three sixes. His partnership with Raza briefly steadied the ship, but once Rashid Khan trapped Raza lbw for 13, the collapse resumed. Brian Bennett fell shortly after, also dismissed by Rashid, and the lower order offered little resistance. Ghazanfar ran through the tail, picking up a five-wicket haul and finishing with remarkable figures of 10-0-33-5. Zimbabwe’s innings ended at 127, with no other batter apart from Williams crossing the 20-run mark.

In reply, Afghanistan’s chase was a clinical display of batting. Openers Sediqullah Atal and Abdul Malik provided a solid foundation, adding 84 runs for the first wicket. Atal was the aggressor, scoring a fluent 52 off 50 balls with four boundaries and two sixes, while Malik played a patient innings, contributing 29 off 66 deliveries. Their partnership ensured that the target was never out of reach.

ZIM managed to take two wickets, with Trevor Gwandu dismissing Atal and Richard Ngarava claiming Malik’s wicket. However, it was too little, too late. Rahmat Shah (17*) and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (20*) guided Afghanistan to a comfortable victory, finishing the chase in just 26.5 overs.

Afghanistan’s bowling unit, especially Ghazanfar and Rashid Khan, was instrumental in setting up the victory, while their batters ensured there were no hiccups in the chase. This comprehensive 8-wicket win underlined Afghanistan’s dominance in the series and showcased their growing prowess in ODI cricket.

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Scoreboard

Zimbabwe – 127

Afghanistan – 131/2(26.5/50)

Result – Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining)

Player of the Match – AM Ghazanfar

ZIM vs AFG Playing XI

Zimbabwe

Joylord Gumbie, Ben Curran, Craig Ervine(C), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani(WK), Wellington Masakadza, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, Trevor Gwandu

Afghanistan

Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil(WK), Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Fareed Ahmad, Bilal Sami

Disclaimer: These match highlights reflect the author’s insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the points discussed and form their own conclusions.

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