Afghanistan aims for a series victory in the third ODI against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club, following their previous comprehensive win. After rain washed out the first match, Afghanistan dominated the second ODI, winning by 232 runs. Zimbabwe’s batting lineup faces challenges as they strive to recover from previous losses.
In the third and final ODI between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan held at the Harare Sports Club, Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and chose to bowl first, seeking a series victory. The series commenced with the first match canceled due to inclement weather. In the second ODI, Afghanistan delivered an impressive performance, defeating Zimbabwe by 232 runs, thus taking a 1-0 lead in the series. They set a target of 286 runs, subsequently dismissing Zimbabwe for a mere 54 runs in just 17.5 overs. This marked Afghanistan’s most significant win by runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs).
The playing elevens for both teams were as follows: For Zimbabwe, Ben Curran, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wicketkeeper), Joylord Gumbie, Craig Ervine (captain), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Brian Bennett, Wellington Masakadza, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, and Trevor Gwandu took the field. Afghanistan’s lineup included Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper), Bilal Sami, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, and Fareed Ahmad Malik.
As the match progressed, with Sean Williams and Richard Ngarava at the crease, Williams managed to accumulate 33 runs while Ngarava remained scoreless. AM Ghazanfar excelled with the ball, achieving a remarkable figure of 5 wickets for just 26 runs over 9 overs.
Throughout the innings, Zimbabwe struggled significantly against the Afghan bowlers, leading to loss of wickets at regular intervals. The team’s batting performance has been dismal in this series, reflecting a stark contrast to their Afghan counterparts who have exhibited dominance.
This cricket match between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan signifies an important competition within the ODI format, contributing to the ongoing narrative of both teams in international cricket. The engagement reflects their preparation and performance levels, particularly Afghanistan’s recent cricketing successes. With the series already showing discrimination towards the dominant force of Afghanistan, this final match becomes pivotal for Zimbabwe to recover and demonstrate resilience against growing competition.
The third ODI between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan is pivotal for the hosts to regain form after a demoralizing second match. Afghanistan’s previous performance, highlighted by their largest win margin in ODIs, places them in a commanding position. As the match unfolds, it is crucial for Zimbabwe to improve their batting and showcase determination to return to their competitive best against an established Afghan side.
Original Source: www.news18.com
