• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

ZIM vs AFG, 3rd ODI: Afghanistan thrashed Zimbabwe by 2-0 in the three-match ODI series by winning two consecutive matches as the series opener was abandoned due to incessant rain. Afghanistan had once again put up a brilliant performance, during the third and the last ODI, where they outplayed Zimbabwe in all the departments. It was their sixth consecutive white-ball series win. Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bowl first and that decision worked in their favour. Their bowlers gave the team the much-needed breakthrough as they restricted Zimbabwe to 38/3 during powerplay. Zimbabwe did try to show some resistance as star players Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza tried to help the team bounce back. But Rashid Khan rattled their batting lineup as he took Raza's wicket.

Allah Ghazanfar was the standout performer as his spin wizardry made the Zimbabwe batters look for answers. He took a five-for in the 10 overs that he bowled and he thus ran riot to Zimbabwe's lower and middle batting order. Williams was the only batter who helped the team bounce back as he scored a gritty knock of 50 runs but after his dismissal Zimbabwe's batting lineup also collapsed. Rashid Khan took three wickets and thus helped the team skittle Zimbabwe out for just 127 runs.

Afghanistan won yet another series

While chasing a gettable target, the Afghan batters maintained their composure. Zimbabwe's Richard Ngarawa spearheaded their bowling attack as they took advantage of the swinging conditions. Abdul Mallik was seen struggling while batting but he did hold onto the crease from one end. At the same time, Sediqullah Atal continued his sublime form and was seen batting calmly. He was able to rotate the strike brilliantly and smashed loose balls thus bringing up his half-century but was later dismissed by Benett, who took a brilliant catch.

Also Read: As India gears up for 4th Test, a look at how Virat Kohli has performed in Boxing Day matches

Despite Malik's dismissal, the visitors looked in good touch. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rehmat Shah made sure that there were no dismissals as they built a match-winning partnership and helped the team chase the target. Afghanistan won the match by eight wickets and also the series.

Zimbabwe once again performed poorly with the bat. Just four batters could score in double digits. They need to work on their batting as they gear up for the Boxing Day Test, which will be held in Bulawayo and it's the first time that this is happening in Zimbabwe since 1996. Afghanistan's brilliant performances have helped them prepare well for the upcoming Champions Trophy, as they try to discover upcoming talented players like Atal and Ghazanfar.