And that's a wrap on the Afghanistan-Zimbabwe series! Now, all eyes are on the Women's World Cup final in Navi Mumbai, where India has posted an impressive 297. South Africa is gearing up for the chase. Switch tabs to get updates from that contest. Cheers.
Ibrahim Zadran, the Afghanistan skipper and Player of the Series, expressed satisfaction with the series win despite not getting the desired result in the Test format. He credited his success to his intent to score big runs and praised his teammates, particularly Mujeeb, for his bowling and Rahmanullah Gurbaz for his batting, which put pressure on the opposition. Zadran also highlighted the team's collective effort, saying everyone played well together.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the Player of the Match, attributed their success to the team's plan to go deep and build a strong partnership. He praised his opening partner, Ibrahim Zadran, saying their communication and understanding is special. Gurbaz also mentioned he had been struggling to score big lately but was happy with his performance today, contributing to the win.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza expressed satisfaction with his team's performance and his own contribution. He appreciated the team's demand for a big innings from him and felt they played well after a subpar series. Raza also praised Ryan Burl's batting, saying he needed that knock and had been hurt more than anyone with this defeat in particular.
Presentation ...
Abdullah Ahmadzai was the star with the ball for Afghanistan, claiming 3/42, while Fareed Malik and Fazalhaq Farooqi chipped in with two wickets each. The spin duo of Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman also contributed, picking up one wicket each. This win marks Afghanistan's third consecutive T20I series whitewash over Zimbabwe, solidifying their reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the format.
Chasing down a massive total set by the visitors, Zimbabwe's top order stumbled, Dion Myers and Brian Bennett getting off to a slow start. However, Sikandar Raza and Brian Bennett steadied the ship with an 85-run partnership. Raza's 51 and Bennett's 47 kept Zimbabwe in contention. Ryan Burl's scintillating 37 gave Zimbabwe a glimmer of hope, but Mujeeb's canny bowling for Burl's wicket proved to be the turning point. Despite a late fightback, Zimbabwe fell short, all out for 201.
Afghanistan have etched another feather in their cap with a thrilling 9-run victory over Zimbabwe, sealing a 3-0 whitewash in the T20I series. Opting to bat first, Afghanistan's openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran set the tone with a 159-run partnership. Gurbaz's explosive 92 and Zadran's 60 helped Afghanistan post a mammoth 210, which turns out to be more than enough for the visitors to inflict a whitewash.
19.6
W
Abdullah Ahmadzai to Richard Ngarava, OUT! That's a wrap. On a length around middle and leg, Richard Ngarava flicks this straight into the hands of Mujeeb Ur Rahman at the deep square leg fence. Mujeeb Ur Rahman fails to gather this cleanly but holds onto it in the end. Afghanistan have won the game by 9 runs.
19.5
4
Abdullah Ahmadzai to Richard Ngarava, FOUR! Abdullah Ahmadzai searches for a yorker again but misses out and lands it in the slot for the batter. Richard Ngarava clears his front foot and slogs this one bounce over the fence towards deep mid-wicket region for four runs.
19.4
1
Abdullah Ahmadzai to Wellington Masakadza, On a length around off, Wellington Masakadza hits this in the air towards mid off for a single. Sediqullah Atal takes it but it was a free hit.
19.4
1nb
Abdullah Ahmadzai to Wellington Masakadza, NO BALL! A beamer around off, Wellington Masakadza chips this towards deep cover and runs a couple. Free Hit coming up!
19.3
1
Abdullah Ahmadzai to Richard Ngarava, Yorker on off, this time. Richard Ngarava blocks this around silly point for one.
Richard Ngarava walks out last to bat.
19.2
W
Abdullah Ahmadzai to Tinotenda Maposa, OUT! CASTLED! Way too good for a tailender. A perfect yorker, crashing into the roots of the leg stump. Tinotenda Maposa fails to get anything on it and the ball has crashed into the stumps, uprooting the leg pole.
19.1
0
Abdullah Ahmadzai to Tinotenda Maposa, Nails a wide yorker, around off. Tinotenda Maposa fails to get bat on ball.
END OF OVER 19 | 10 Runs & 1 Wkt | ZIM 192/8
19 needed off the final over for Zimbabwe to win this contest.
18.6
0
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Wellington Masakadza, On a length wide of off, Wellington Masakadza swings and misses.
18.5
2
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Wellington Masakadza, Good length on middle and off, Wellington Masakadza tucks this to deep square leg and runs a couple.
18.4
W
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Tashinga Musekiwa, OUT! CAUGHT! Fazalhaq Farooqi shows his class as he outfoxes the batter. On a length around middle and off, much slower than usual. Tashinga Musekiwa swings early and ends up hitting this with the bottom hand off the handle. Tashinga Musekiwa finds Shahidullah Kamal at the deep mid-wicket fence and has to walk back after a brilliant cameo.
18.3
2
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Tashinga Musekiwa, Full toss around middle and off, Tashinga Musekiwa lofts this towards wide long on and takes two.
18.2
6
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Tashinga Musekiwa, SIX! ENORMOUS! Well, he's picked the bones out of it. On a length around middle and leg, Tashinga Musekiwa stays leg side to the pitch of it and smashes this almost onto the roof, straight down the ground for a massive six.
18.1
0
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Tashinga Musekiwa, On a length around off, Tashinga Musekiwa swings and misses.