Afghanistan secured a hard-fought three-wicket win against Zimbabwe in the third and deciding T20I at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday, sealing a 2-1 series victory. Guided by stellar performances from Rashid Khan and Azmatullah Omarzai, the visitors overcame a determined Zimbabwean side in a nail-biting contest.
After winning the toss, Afghanistan opted to bowl, putting early pressure on Zimbabwe. The hosts struggled at the start, with opener Tadiwanashe Marumani dismissed for just six runs by Naveen-ul-Haq in the first over. However, Brian Bennett (31 off 24 balls) and Dion Myers (13 off 12 balls) built a steady 35-run partnership to stabilize the innings.
Wessly Madhevere added 21 crucial runs off 22 balls, while late contributions from Tashinga Musekiwa (12 off 10) and Wellington Masakadza (17 off 15) pushed Zimbabwe to a modest total of 127.
Rashid Khan spearheaded the Afghan bowling attack with a remarkable four-wicket haul, giving away just 27 runs in his four-over spell. Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Azmatullah Omarzai chipped in with two wickets each, ensuring Zimbabwe was kept in check throughout the innings.
Chasing 128, Afghanistan’s top order faltered early, with Zimbabwe’s bowlers striking crucial blows. Despite the shaky start, Azmatullah Omarzai anchored the innings with a composed knock of 34 off 37 balls, supported by Gulbadin Naib’s 22 off 22 balls.
The match remained in the balance until the final overs, with Mohammad Nabi stepping up under pressure. His unbeaten 24 off 18 balls, along with a steady contribution from Mujeeb Ur Rahman, ensured Afghanistan crossed the line with just three balls to spare.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers, led by Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu, and skipper Sikandar Raza, each claiming two wickets, gave their all to defend the total but fell just short in the end.
Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-round effort earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award, while Naveen-ul-Haq was named ‘Player of the Series’ for his consistent performances throughout the three matches.
The victory marks a significant achievement for Afghanistan, who showed resilience and composure to clinch the series in challenging conditions. For Zimbabwe, the narrow loss highlights their fighting spirit, though they will lament missed opportunities to close out the series.
Brief score:
- Zimbabwe 127 (Brian Bennett 31, Wessly Madhevere 21; Rashid Khan 4/27)
- Afghanistan 128 (Azmatullah Omarzai 34, Mohammad Nabi 24; Blessing Muzarabani 2/19).