Cricket

Cricket Commentary

AFG VS ZIM

1st T20I, 27-Oct-2026

177/10 19.5 oversRun Rate: 9.08
VS
74/3 12.1 overs Run Rate: 6.12
Afghanistan First Innings
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Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Fazalhaq Farooqi
N Nyamhuri|3.5|0|31|4
019.619.5: Newman Nyamhuri to Mujeeb Ur Rahman, OUT! CAUGHT! Newman Nyamhuri closes out the innings with a four-fer, and Afghanistan are bowled out for 177 runs. This is pitched up on a good length and pushed wide of the off stump. Mujeeb Ur Rahman hangs deep in the crease and swats it away flat to the right of cover. Sikandar Raza moves sharply to his right and snaffles it with both hands around his chest.
019.519.5: Newman Nyamhuri to Fazalhaq Farooqi, Wide! A wayward ball from Nyamhuri, as he bowls this one full and a mile down the leg side. The keeper dives to his left but can't get to it. The ball rolls down to fine leg for a single.
019.419.4: Newman Nyamhuri to Noor Ahmad, OUT! CAUGHT! Straight up in the air, and taken. Hard length from Newman Nyamhuri, around off stump. Noor Ahmad just swings hard at it and ends up miscuing it high towards wide mid on. Brad Evans settles under it and takes a simple catch. Afghanistan are 175/9 now as Nyamhuri gets his third wicket.
119.319.3: Newman Nyamhuri to Mujeeb Ur Rahman, A skiddy short ball over middle, Mujeeb Ur Rahman stands tall and hits it down to the right of mid on for a single.
019.219.2: Newman Nyamhuri to Rashid Khan, OUT! TAKEN! That's a sensational catch taken by Wessly Madhevere. Newman Nyamhuri digs it in short and right at the batter. Rashid Khan looks to climb on top of the bounce and pull but the ball gets big on him, and this is mistimed over mid-wicket. Wessly Madhevere charges in from the deep and puts in a big dive ahead to take the catch. End of a quickfire cameo from Rashid.
119.119.1: Newman Nyamhuri to Noor Ahmad, Hard length, slanted into the batter. Noor Ahmad smacks it down past the non-strike and down to the left of long on for one.
018.618.6: Brad Evans to Rashid Khan, A swing and a miss. Full and wide outside off, with pace on. Rashid Khan goes after it but fails to connect.
6 Over | Run: 173/7 | Run Rate: 9.11
618.518.5: Brad Evans to Rashid Khan, SIX! Rashid goes back-to-back, and Afghanistan are piling on a big total here. Slower one, pitched fuller around off. Khan hangs deep and lays into the ball, lifting it high and over long off for a biggie.
618.418.4: Brad Evans to Rashid Khan, SIX! What a shot, and even the bowler gives Rashid Khan a thumbs-up. Hard length, wide of the off stump. Khan goes on his knees as he goes reaching for the ball, and uses his hands to whip it up and over deep point for a biggie.
118.318.3: Brad Evans to Noor Ahmad, Slower one, back of a length and outside off. This is sliced down to deep third for a single.
418.218.2: Brad Evans to Noor Ahmad, FOUR! A fine shot first up by Noor Ahmad. Full and fast, attacking the toes. Noor takes the front leg out and whips it down to cow corner for a boundary.
018.118.1: Brad Evans to Ijaz Ahmadzai, OUT! CAUGHT! Great composure in the deep from Ryan Burl, and Ijaz Ahmadzai has to walk back after a rollicking knock. Good change-up from Brad Evans as well, as he bowls a back-of-the-hand slower ball, into the pitch and at the batter. Ahmadzai is a bit cramped for room but heaves across the line and sends the ball sailing down to wide long on. Burl settles himself just inside the ropes and clings on to the ball with both hands.
417.617.6: Ernest Masuku to Rashid Khan, FOUR! That's a bit unfortunate for the bowler. Pitched up on a length and wide outside off. Khan swings wildly across the line and gets a thick outside edge that flies down to deep third for a boundary. 19 off the over.
6 Over | Run: 156/6 | Run Rate: 8.67
617.517.5: Ernest Masuku to Rashid Khan, SIX! High, high, and over the ropes. Back of a length, wide outside off. Rashid Khan goes after it with that trademark whippy style, and slices it over the point fence for a six. 150 up for Afghanistan.
117.417.4: Ernest Masuku to Ijaz Ahmadzai, Full and straight, jammed down to long off for a single.
617.317.3: Ernest Masuku to Ijaz Ahmadzai, SIX! Pace off, but it doesn't matter, and Ijaz Ahmadzai gets to his maiden T20I FIFTY. Slower one, full and wide outside off. Ahmadzai is ready for it and hangs back before lacing it flat over deep cover-point for a six. Ahmadzai gets to the mark in just 20 balls.
117.217.2: Ernest Masuku to Rashid Khan, Pace off now, pitched up around off. Rashid Khan leans on to drive but chips it off the face of the blade, and through the vacant mid off region for one more.
117.117.1: Ernest Masuku to Ijaz Ahmadzai, Full and on off, in the blockhole. Ahmadzai jams it down to long on for a single.
616.616.6: Newman Nyamhuri to Rashid Khan, SIX! Straight back over the keeper's head and onto the sight screen. A sharp bumper, over middle and leg. Rashi takes it on and is hurried, getting a top edge that flies away for six runs. 14 runs off the over, despite the wicket.
6 Over | Run: 137/6 | Run Rate: 8.06
116.516.5: Newman Nyamhuri to Ijaz Ahmadzai, A low full toss on the pads, slower and dipping on the batter. Ahmadzai looks to flick but gets an inside edge off the pads and the ball rolls to mid-wicket. Single taken.
616.416.4: Newman Nyamhuri to Ijaz Ahmadzai, SIX! SHOT! Just marginally short, on middle. Ijaz Ahmadzai moves across a bit and clobbers it high and handsome, in front of mid-wicket for a biggie.
116.316.3: Newman Nyamhuri to Rashid Khan, Back of a length, over middle and angling away. Khan stays back, scything it to deep backward point for a single.
016.216.2: Newman Nyamhuri to Rashid Khan, That's a good ball to bowl to the new batter. Skiddy bumper around leg, attacking the batter, and Rashid Khan ducks under it. No wide given.
016.116.1: Newman Nyamhuri to Shahidullah Kamal, OUT! CAUGHT! Newman Nyamhuri strikes instantly on his return and picks up a big wicket against the run of play. Nyamhuri immediately goes into the pitch, bowling it short and over off, getting the ball to hold a bit. Shahidullah Kamal looks to pull off the front foot but is early into his shot and ends up lofting it over mid on. Ryan Burl comes in from the long on fence and pouches it safely. End of a fighting knock by Kamal.
115.615.6: Brad Evans to Shahidullah Kamal, Good length on middle and leg, this is wristed away to the right of backward square leg for a single.
6 Over | Run: 123/5 | Run Rate: 7.69
015.515.5: Brad Evans to Shahidullah Kamal, Hard length on off, Kamal stays leg side of the ball and pats it down to cover.
615.415.4: Brad Evans to Shahidullah Kamal, SIX! Not in control, but the ball still flies over the fence. An aggressive bumper by Evans, over leg stump, and there's no deep fine leg in place. Kamal swings at it and top-edgs it over the fine leg fence for a six.
015.315.3: Brad Evans to Shahidullah Kamal, Back of a length and outside off, Kamal lets the ball come on before angling it down to backward point.
115.215.2: Brad Evans to Ijaz Ahmadzai, A heavy short ball, around off, and Ahmadzai leans on, pulling it towards deep mid-wicket for one more. The 50-run stand is also up between these two.
115.115.1: Brad Evans to Shahidullah Kamal, A length ball on off, punched away on the up and through the cover region for a single.
114.614.6: Wellington Masakadza to Shahidullah Kamal, Full on middle and leg, clipped away gently through mid-wicket for a single. 16 off the over.
6 Over | Run: 114/5 | Run Rate: 7.60
114.514.5: Wellington Masakadza to Ijaz Ahmadzai, Good length on middle, sliding back in. Ahmadzai stays back and nudges it in front of mid-wicket for a single.
414.414.4: Wellington Masakadza to Ijaz Ahmadzai, FOUR! Ijaz Ahmadzai is single-handedly shifting the momentum of this game. Tossed up around off, Ahmadzai goes inside-out over cover, banging it towards the vacant fence yet again.
414.314.3: Wellington Masakadza to Ijaz Ahmadzai, FOUR! That's cleverly done. Full and flat, angling onto the pads. Ahmadzai sits down and plays a deft sweep, getting it behind square leg and the ball rolls away into the fence.
014.214.2: Wellington Masakadza to Ijaz Ahmadzai, Nagging length, bowling it straighter at the stumps. Ahmadzai blocks it off.
614.114.1: Wellington Masakadza to Ijaz Ahmadzai, SIX! Ahmadzai is on a rampage now, and the 100 is up for Afghanistan. Floated up wide of the off stump, just an extension of the arms by Ahmadzai as he launches it over the cover fence for a biggie.
113.613.6: Sikandar Raza to Ijaz Ahmadzai, Quick and short around off, Ahmadzai hops back and dabs it behind point for a single. 30 runs off the last 2 overs, and Afghanistan are now 98/5.
6 Over | Run: 98/5 | Run Rate: 7.00
413.513.5: Sikandar Raza to Ijaz Ahmadzai, FOUR! Three loose balls in a row, and all three were dealt with by Ahmadzai. Short and over middle, Ahmadzai picks the length in a trice, stays back and swats it towards cow corner for a boundary.
413.413.4: Sikandar Raza to Ijaz Ahmadzai, FOUR! Cheeky from Ahmadzai now. Good length, but angling down leg. Ahmadzai shuffles inside the line and laps it over short fine lg for a boundary now.
613.313.3: Sikandar Raza to Ijaz Ahmadzai, SIX! A rare loosener from Raza, and it gets the deserved treatment. Way too short and over middle, Ijaz Ahmadzai rocks back and whacks it handsomely over deep mid-wicket for a huge six.
213.213.2: Sikandar Raza to Ijaz Ahmadzai, Uppish, but into the gap. Tossed up outside off, Ahmadzai goes for the drive and hits it in the air through the vacant extra cover region for a couple of runs.
113.113.1: Sikandar Raza to Shahidullah Kamal, Flatter one outside off, cut away off the back foot to deep point for a single.
112.712.6: Ernest Masuku to Shahidullah Kamal, Tap and run, clever batting right after the boundary. Good length on off, Kamal gets forward and nudges it down to cover-point for a quick single.
7 Over | Run: 80/5 | Run Rate: 6.15
612.612.5: Ernest Masuku to Shahidullah Kamal, SIX! What a shot! Hard length, pushing it across off. Shahidullah Kamal charges at the bowler and frees his arms, whacking it over deep extra cover for a biggie.
012.512.5: Ernest Masuku to Shahidullah Kamal, Wide! Dug in well short and well down the leg side. Kamal leaves it alone.
112.412.4: Ernest Masuku to Ijaz Ahmadzai, Pace off now, pitching it up on middle. Ahmadzai dabs it away to th right of deep square lg and picks up a single.
212.312.3: Ernest Masuku to Ijaz Ahmadzai, Back of a length and in the channel, Ahmadzai gets back on his toes to punch it away, but gets an inside edge through backward square leg and picks up two runs.
112.212.2: Ernest Masuku to Shahidullah Kamal, Not in control. Shorter in length, over middle and off. Kamal looks ton get forward but the ball gets big on him and Kamal ends up nurdling it down in front of wide mid off for a single.
012.112.1: Ernest Masuku to Shahidullah Kamal, Good-length delivery, around off. Kamal looks to bunt it to cover and pinch a quick single, but Ahmadzai sends him back.
111.611.6: Sikandar Raza to Shahidullah Kamal, Tossed up wide of the off stump, Kamal drives it nicely and square on the off side, towards deep point for one more.
6 Over | Run: 68/5 | Run Rate: 5.67
111.511.5: Sikandar Raza to Ijaz Ahmadzai, Shorter and outside off, played off the back foot and through cover-point for a single..
011.411.4: Sikandar Raza to Ijaz Ahmadzai, On a dragged length and around off, Ahmadzai stays back to defend.
011.311.3: Sikandar Raza to Ijaz Ahmadzai, Flighted up, full and on off, Ijaz Ahmadzai pushes it down to mid on.
011.211.2: Sikandar Raza to Azmatullah Omarzai, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! A soft, soft dismissal, but that's cleverly bowled by Sikandar Raza. Raza bowls a leg-spinner now, tossing it up on off stump, and gets the ball to hold a bit in the deck. Azmatullah Omarzai leans on to just drive it down the pitch, but ends up chipping it straight back to the bowler. Raza makes no mistake and Afghanistan are now 66/5.
111.111.1: Sikandar Raza to Shahidullah Kamal, On a dragged length and outside off. Kamal hops back and cuts it behind point for a single.
010.610.6: Wellington Masakadza to Azmatullah Omarzai, No run, just a mere push. But no space for a run.
6 Over | Run: 65/4 | Run Rate: 5.91
110.510.5: Wellington Masakadza to Shahidullah Kamal, Fuller one at the stumps, worked away through the leg side for a single.
610.410.4: Wellington Masakadza to Shahidullah Kamal, SIX! A valiant effort from Ryan Burl in the deep, but it will be a six. Tossed up at the stumps, Shahidullah Kamal sits down and plays a slog sweep, hitting it flat and to the left of deep mid-wicket. Burl moves across and grabs it with both hands but ends up running over the ropes. He does flick the ball up before doing so, but makes second contact while being over the ropes. Even though bthe ball never touched the turf over the ropes, according to the new rules, if the contact is beyond the ropes, it will be six.
110.310.3: Wellington Masakadza to Azmatullah Omarzai, A lot more air on this one, floated up down leg. Omarzai gets his hands out in front and works it down to deep mid-wicket for a single.
210.210.2: Wellington Masakadza to Azmatullah Omarzai, Two more, and that's good running from these two. Full and drifted in at the toes, Omarzai flicks it away between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket before racing back for the second run.
210.110.1: Wellington Masakadza to Azmatullah Omarzai, Tossed up, on a length and outside off. The ball holds a bit and Omarzai miscues the lofted shot to wide long off and picks up a couple of runs.
19.69.6: Sikandar Raza to Azmatullah Omarzai, Quicker one, on a length and darted back in towards the stumps. Omarzai backs away and jams it out firmly through the cover region for a single. Afghanistan are 53/4 after 10 overs.
6 Over | Run: 53/4 | Run Rate: 5.30
19.59.5: Sikandar Raza to Shahidullah Kamal, Raza slows it up now, floating it just outside off stump. Kamal waits back and pushes it down to mid off for a run.
19.49.4: Sikandar Raza to Azmatullah Omarzai, Flighted delivery on off, Omarzai leans on and gets it on the full, stroking it to the right of the bowler and down to long on for one more.
19.39.3: Sikandar Raza to Shahidullah Kamal, Tossed up a bit, outside off, and this is driven to sweeper cover for a single.
49.29.2: Sikandar Raza to Shahidullah Kamal, FOUR! Full and flat, angling it down leg. Shahidullah Kamal sits down and sweeps it over the head of the short fine leg fielder and picks up a boundary.
09.19.1: Sikandar Raza to Shahidullah Kamal, Oh, that's nearly crashed into the off pole. The arm-ball from Raza, on a nagging length and outside off, darting back in. Kamal looks to rock back and cut but misses.
08.68.6: Wellington Masakadza to Azmatullah Omarzai, Flighted ball on off, blocked off by Azmatullah Omarzai.
6 Over | Run: 45/4 | Run Rate: 5.00
08.58.5: Wellington Masakadza to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, OUT! TAKEN! Sikandar Raza shows great reactions to take it on the second attempt, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz is just standing there, wondering how dare Raza take a catch like that. This is floated up quite full and around off, Gurbaz leans on a bit and looks to power the drive over extra cover, but doesn't quite get the elevation. Raza is standing close in at extra cover and reacts sharply, leaping up to get both hands on it. But the ball pops out with Raza falling on the deck, and yet he manages to havethe presence of mind to gobble it up on the second attempt.
18.48.4: Wellington Masakadza to Shahidullah Kamal, Full and flat now, around off. Kamal swings it away to deep mid-wicket for just one more.
18.38.3: Wellington Masakadza to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Tossed up around off, heaved away off the inside half of the bat and in front of mid-wicket for just a single.
48.28.2: Wellington Masakadza to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR! That's more like it from Gurbaz. Tossed up outside off, Gurbaz moves way past the off stump, sits down and sweeps it hard towards deep backward square leg for a boundary.
18.18.1: Wellington Masakadza to Shahidullah Kamal, Flighted up on off, a bit fuller as well. Shahidullah Kamal sits down and drags the slog sweep down on the bounce to long on for a run.
17.67.6: Sikandar Raza to Shahidullah Kamal, Tossed up outside off, Kamal eases it off the back foot to deep point and picks up a single. Afghanistan trudging along at 38/3 after 8 overs.
6 Over | Run: 38/3 | Run Rate: 4.75
07.57.5: Sikandar Raza to Shahidullah Kamal, A lot more round-arm this time, angled into the pads. Kamal stays back to flick it away but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
17.47.4: Sikandar Raza to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, On a good length, fired in towards middle and leg. Gurbaz goes back and acros, punching it out to wide long off for one more.
17.37.3: Sikandar Raza to Shahidullah Kamal, Floated up on middle and leg, this is worked away in front of mid-wicket for a run.
07.27.2: Sikandar Raza to Shahidullah Kamal, Nagging length from around the stumps, drifting it in towards the stumps. Kamal backs away and dabs it down to point.
17.17.1: Sikandar Raza to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Good length around off, pushed through flatter. Gurbaz rocks back and punches it down to long off for a single.
16.66.6: Wellington Masakadza to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Short and wide again, cut away off the back foot, but the fielder at backward point makes a diving stop to his left. Just a single.
6 Over | Run: 34/3 | Run Rate: 4.86
06.56.5: Wellington Masakadza to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Fractionally short and outside off, Gurbaz hops back and scythes it away to the cover fielder. The dots continue to pile up.
06.46.4: Wellington Masakadza to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Floated up a bit fuller and around off, Gurbaz plays it back to the bowler.
06.36.3: Wellington Masakadza to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Short and outside off, Gurbaz tries to do too many things at once, before eventually going hard at the cut, but ends up chopping it back onto the deck.
16.26.2: Wellington Masakadza to Shahidullah Kamal, Around the wicket to the left-hander, bowled on a dragged length and drifted into the pads. Kamal works it away towards mid-wicket and turns the strike over.
16.16.1: Wellington Masakadza to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Flighted up, full and on off, Gurbaz strokes it away through extra cover for a single.
05.65.6: Newman Nyamhuri to Shahidullah Kamal, A skiddy short ball, right at the batter. Kamal pulls it down but finds the fielder at short fine leg. A dot to end, and Afghanistan are 31/3 at the end of the Powerplay.
6 Over | Run: 31/3 | Run Rate: 5.17
45.55.5: Newman Nyamhuri to Shahidullah Kamal, FOUR! That's banged away through the off side. Too full and too wide outside off, Shahidullah Kamal gets low and extends his arms, hammering it through covers for another boundary.
05.45.4: Newman Nyamhuri to Shahidullah Kamal, Fractionally short now, angled into the batter. Kamal gets all tucked up and fails to flick it away. Actually, the ball's gone off the thigh pad and into the helmet.
25.35.3: Newman Nyamhuri to Shahidullah Kamal, That's a good-looking shot. On the fuller side and outside off, Kamal leans on, shows the full face of the bat and strokes it through extra cover for a couple of runs.
05.25.2: Newman Nyamhuri to Shahidullah Kamal, Just back of a length, around the sixth stump. Kamal presses back, opens the bat face and dabs it down to point.
05.15.1: Newman Nyamhuri to Shahidullah Kamal, Length ball outside off, sliding it back in. Shahidullah Kamal lunges across and drives it straight to cover.
44.64.6: Ernest Masuku to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR! A freebie to end the over from Masuku. Too full and slanted down leg, Gurbaz walks inside the line and gets enough bat on it to take the ball fine of the short fine leg fielder for a boundary.
6 Over | Run: 25/3 | Run Rate: 5.00
14.54.5: Ernest Masuku to Shahidullah Kamal, Shorter one around the ribs, worked away into the gap at mid-wicket by Kamal for one run. Also, Ernest Masuku takes a tumble in his followthrough, but thankfully, he is fine.
04.44.4: Ernest Masuku to Shahidullah Kamal, Pitched fuller now and angled across off. Kamal leans on to drive but ends up playing to mid on. Four dots on the trot in this over.
04.34.3: Ernest Masuku to Shahidullah Kamal, Masuku continues to hit that in-between length, bowling it on middle and leg this time. Kamal blocks it off.
04.24.2: Ernest Masuku to Shahidullah Kamal, Similar line and length, a bit more leg-sided, and not all that full. Kamal tentatively pushes at it and hits it uppishly towards wide mid on.
04.14.1: Ernest Masuku to Shahidullah Kamal, Pitched up on a fullish length and on leg, Kamal looks to get forward but the ball holds in the pitch. The ball gets chipped off the face of the blade, but lands well short of the mid on fielder.
03.63.6: Brad Evans to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Evans outfoxes Gurbaz here. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is early to back away, and Evans sees this in his stride, ending up bowling it full and wide outside off. Gurbaz doesn't even try reaching it.
6 Over | Run: 20/3 | Run Rate: 5.00
13.53.5: Brad Evans to Shahidullah Kamal, Full-pitched delivery, attacking the front pad. Kamal clips it wide of mid on and gets off the mark with a single.
03.43.4: Brad Evans to Shahidullah Kamal, Pitched up around off, Shahidullah Kamal gets onto the front foot again and punches it toward mid off now.
03.33.3: Brad Evans to Shahidullah Kamal, Fuller one outside off, Kamal gets forward well and strokes the ball away to backward point.
03.23.2: Brad Evans to Shahidullah Kamal, Half an appeal for LBW, but that's pitched outside leg. Evans lands this one just full of a good length, around leg and gets the ball to swing in sharply. Shahidullah Kamal looks to lick but plays all around it and gets rapped on the pads.
13.13.1: Brad Evans to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Tap and run. Pitched up on off stump, Gurbaz leans forward and pushes it gently in front of covers for a quick single.
02.62.6: Ernest Masuku to Mohammad Akram, OUT! LBW! A huge appeal, and it's been given. Seemed a tad too high, but there's no DRS, and Mohammad Akram unfortunately has to walk back to the dugout. A dream start for Ernest Masuku, though. Coming to the delivery, this is pitched on a hard length again, getting the ball to dart back in off the seam. Akram is caught back on the crease and gets beaten past the inside edge, getting hit on the thigh pad. Afghanistan are now 18/3 in the blink of an eye.
6 Over | Run: 18/3 | Run Rate: 6.00
42.52.5: Ernest Masuku to Mohammad Akram, FOUR! Not in complete control but good enough. Dug in short and at the batter, Akram goes after it and manages to pull it just behind the squre leg fielder for a boundary.
02.42.4: Ernest Masuku to Sediqullah Atal, OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Ernest Masuku strikes in his first over and gets his maiden T20I wicket. Immaculate line from Ernest as he serves this one just short of a length and gets the ball to angle away from the off stump. Sediqullah Atal stays back and compact and has a late stab at it, ending up edging it behind to the keeper. Tadiwanashe Marumani makes no mistake and Atal has to walk back as well. Afghanistan are rocked early at 14/2.
12.32.3: Ernest Masuku to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Top delivery. A surprise yorker, on middle and leg. Gurbaz manages to squeeze it out on the off side and pinches a quick single as well.
02.22.2: Ernest Masuku to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Oh, that wasn't too far away from the off stump. On a good length, on off and nibbling away a bit. Gurbaz backs away a fair bit to go over the off side but fails to connect.
02.12.1: Ernest Masuku to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, An early bowling change as Masuku comes on. The debutant starts with a shortish ball over off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets right behind the line to block.
21.61.6: Brad Evans to Sediqullah Atal, Brilliant work in the deep from the debutant. Full and outside off, Sediqullah Atal throws his hands at it and gets a thick outside edge that flies down to deep third. Ernest Masuku is quick to move to his right and puts in a dive to save a couple of runs for his side.
6 Over | Run: 13/1 | Run Rate: 6.50
01.51.5: Brad Evans to Ibrahim Zadran, OUT! CAUGHT! Brad Evans is absolutely pumped here. Evans pitches the ball on a fullish length and in the channel around off. Again, Ibrahim Zadran tries to force the drive when the length isn't quite there, and he tries to muscle this one, but hits it flat to cover. Brian Bennett takes a sharp catch, and Afghanistan are 11/1 inside the second over.
01.41.4: Brad Evans to Ibrahim Zadran, A huge appeal for LBW, but it is turned down. There was a noise, and perhaps an inside edge saved Zadran here. Full of a length, on middle and this one nips back in. Zadran looks to whip it leg side but gets beaten on the inside edge and wears it on the pads. Replays show that it might have been angling down leg.
41.31.3: Brad Evans to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR! Smacked away for the first boundary of the game. Hard length on off, not quite there to be driven. Ibrahim Zadran stands tall and forces it on the up, to the right of mid off and picks up four runs.
01.21.2: Brad Evans to Ibrahim Zadran, On the money this time. Good length on off and middle, seaming away a touch. Zadran watchfully blocks it off.
01.11.1: Brad Evans to Ibrahim Zadran, Evans gets away with one here. Short and wide outside off, moves away late. Zadran's feet get stuck to the crease as he looks to square cut and is well beaten.
20.90.6: Newman Nyamhuri to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Just over the infield. Pitched up on the pads, Gurbaz leans on and flicks it aerially over the mid-wicket fielder, but doesn't time it all that well, and picks up a couple of runs. 7 off the first over despite the three wides.
9 Over | Run: 7/0 | Run Rate: 7.00
00.80.5: Newman Nyamhuri to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Back of a length and outside off, Gurbaz rises with the bounce and pats it down to cover.
00.70.4: Newman Nyamhuri to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, And then he bowls an absolute peach. Good length, on off and middle, nibbling away. Gurbaz is taken aback by the movement and extra bounce and tries to fend it off, but the ball beats the outside edge.
00.60.4: Newman Nyamhuri to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Wide! Pitched up wide of the off stump, getting it to angle further away. A third wide in the first over, pretty erratic from Nyamhuri.
10.50.3: Newman Nyamhuri to Ibrahim Zadran, No timing on it, but Ibrahim Zadran gets off the mark with a quick single. Hard length around off, Zadran looks to drive on the up, but gets it more off the inner half of the blade and in front of mid off for a run.
10.40.2: Newman Nyamhuri to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, First runs off the bat. Good length around leg, Gurbaz tucks it down to deep square leg and crosses over to the other side.
00.30.1: Newman Nyamhuri to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Much better. Full of a good length, in the channel, and angling across the right-hander. Gurbaz has a feel for it outside the off stump, but gets beaten.
00.20.1: Newman Nyamhuri to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Wide! On the other side now. Nyamhuri shortens the length and darts it wide outside the off stump. Rahmanullah Gurbaz leaves it alone.
00.10.1: Newman Nyamhuri to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Wide! A bit of swing, but the line is too straight. On a good length, starts on leg and then shapes down the leg side. Afghanistan are underway with an extra.
Zimbabwe Second Innings
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Ryan Burl
Sikandar Raza
N Ahmad|2.1|0|18|0
612.112.1: Noor Ahmad to Ryan Burl, Six! Played towards mid on.
111.611.6: Rashid Khan to Ryan Burl, 1 run, that is lofted away for a single.
6 Over | Run: 68/3 | Run Rate: 5.67
111.511.5: Rashid Khan to Sikandar Raza, Fuller and quicker at the stumps. Raza prods to defend, gets a thick outside edge that rolls to backward point for a single. 25 balls since the last boundary now.
211.411.4: Rashid Khan to Sikandar Raza, Tossed up on the middle and leg. Raza slogs it on the bounce toward deep square leg and the batters scamper for the double.
011.311.3: Rashid Khan to Sikandar Raza, Looped up full, on off. Raza gets forward and keeps it out.
011.211.2: Rashid Khan to Sikandar Raza, Fuller googly, turning into the leg stump line. Raza gets too far across for the sweep but misses onto the pad. Big appeal from the bowler is turned down.
111.111.1: Rashid Khan to Ryan Burl, Good length googly just outside off. Gets down on a knee and sweeps to deep midwicket for a single.
110.610.6: Noor Ahmad to Ryan Burl, Looped up full, on the middle stump line. Burl heaves it away along the carpet toward deep square leg for a single.
6 Over | Run: 63/3 | Run Rate: 5.73
110.510.5: Noor Ahmad to Sikandar Raza, Leg break, turning into the middle and leg. Raza nudges it toward square leg and they settle for a single.
110.410.4: Noor Ahmad to Ryan Burl, Looped up full, on the middle and leg. Burl slogs it off the inner half toward deep mid-wicket for a single.
110.310.3: Noor Ahmad to Sikandar Raza, Flatter on the leg. Raza nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.
010.210.2: Noor Ahmad to Sikandar Raza, Tossed up full, just outside off. Raza drives it toward short cover.
110.110.1: Noor Ahmad to Ryan Burl, Tad short, on the middle and leg. Burl pulls it toward deep mid-wicket and they settle for a single.
19.69.6: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ryan Burl, Fuller than a good length on off. Burl reverses it toward backward point for a single. At the halfway mark, Zimbabwe are 58/3.
6 Over | Run: 58/3 | Run Rate: 5.80
09.59.5: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ryan Burl, Full googly on middle and leg, Burl turns it to short mid-wicket
19.49.4: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Sikandar Raza, Tossed up on the middle and leg. Raza nudges into the leg side and scampers for a quick single.
09.39.3: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Brian Bennett, OUT! CAUGHT! Bennett perishes now! Tosses it full, turning into the middle-stump line. Brian Bennett crouches low and looks to launch it over long on but fails to get the desired elevation or distance. Shahidullah Kamal, near the boundary, takes a simple catch. Bennett goes for 13. Zimbabwe are three down.
19.29.2: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ryan Burl, Flighted full, just outside off. Burl eases it down to long off for one.
09.19.1: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Ryan Burl, Tossed up full, on off. Burl pushes it back to the bowler.
18.78.6: Noor Ahmad to Ryan Burl, Leg break, on a length and spinning away around off. Burl punches it through covers for a single.
7 Over | Run: 55/2 | Run Rate: 6.11
18.68.5: Noor Ahmad to Brian Bennett, The googly, sliding across and turning away from the batter, around off. Brian Bennett punches it toward deep cover for one.
18.58.4: Noor Ahmad to Ryan Burl, Flatter wrong'un, turning into the middle stump line. Burl works it through mid-wicket for a single.
18.48.3: Noor Ahmad to Brian Bennett, Tossed up full, on off. Bennett drills it down to long off for a single.
18.38.2: Noor Ahmad to Ryan Burl, Googly on a length, Burl tucks it to square-leg for a quick single.
08.28.2: Noor Ahmad to Ryan Burl, WIDE! Flatter, sliding down the leg. Burl plays and misses. Wide signaled.
18.18.1: Noor Ahmad to Brian Bennett, Tossed up full, on off. Bennett looks to work it leg side, gets a soft leading edge through point for a single.
07.67.6: Rashid Khan to Innocent Kaia, OUT! TIMBER! Rashid Khan has the last laugh against Innocent Kaia. Flatter googly spins back sharply into the middle and leg stump line. Kaia had no clue on how to play the ball, ends up playing all around it. The ball sneaks through the gap and hits the top of the stumps. Kaia goes for 24, and Zimbabwe are 48/2 after 8 overs.
6 Over | Run: 48/2 | Run Rate: 6.00
07.57.5: Rashid Khan to Innocent Kaia, Tossed up full, on off. Innocent Kaia strokes it to the left of the bowler, where Rashid Khan makes a fine stop.
47.47.4: Rashid Khan to Innocent Kaia, FOUR! Punished! Short and down the leg. Kaia stays back and helps away the pull shot toward fine leg for a welcome boundary.
07.37.3: Rashid Khan to Innocent Kaia, Flighted full, on off. Kaia presses forward in defence.
07.27.2: Rashid Khan to Innocent Kaia, Flatter leg break, just outside off. Kaia looks to cut but misses and gets beaten on the under edge.
07.17.1: Rashid Khan to Innocent Kaia, Flatter googly, turning into the middle and leg. Kaia looks to pull but misses and wears on the pad.
16.86.6: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Innocent Kaia, Full and quick at the stumps. Kaia strokes it down to long off for a single.
8 Over | Run: 44/1 | Run Rate: 6.29
06.76.6: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Innocent Kaia, WIDE! Flatter, sliding down the leg. Kaia looks to paddle it but misses. Another wide.
06.66.5: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Innocent Kaia, Flighted full, turning into the middle and leg. Kaia tries to work it across the line but gets an inside edge onto the pad.
06.56.4: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Innocent Kaia, Tossed up full, on off. Kaia defends it forward.
06.46.4: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Innocent Kaia, WIDE! Fuller and quicker, down the leg. Kaia plays and misses. Wide signaled.
26.36.3: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Innocent Kaia, Tossed up full, on the middle and leg. Kaia heaves it off the inner half, goes along the ground toward fine leg for a couple.
06.26.2: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Innocent Kaia, Fuller and quicker on off. Kaia bunts it back to the bowler.
16.16.1: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Brian Bennett, Tossed up on off. Bennett eases it down to long on for one.
05.65.6: Rashid Khan to Innocent Kaia, A sharp googly, spins back into the middle and leg stump line. Kaia sets up to cut it away but the ball spins in and hits him on the back pad. Zimbabwe are 38/1 after the Powerplay.
6 Over | Run: 38/1 | Run Rate: 6.33
15.55.5: Rashid Khan to Brian Bennett, Wrong'un, turning into the middle and leg. Brian Bennett works it through mid-wicket for one.
05.45.4: Rashid Khan to Brian Bennett, Fuller googly, sliding past the leg stump. Bennett makes room to go inside out but fails to connect.
05.35.3: Rashid Khan to Brian Bennett, Quicker leg break, around off. Bennett cuts it to the man at short cover.
15.25.2: Rashid Khan to Innocent Kaia, Flatter googly, at the stumps. Kaia punches it down to long on for one.
15.15.1: Rashid Khan to Brian Bennett, Tossed up on the middle and leg. Bennett works it through mid-wicket for a single.
04.94.6: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Innocent Kaia, Quicker again, attacking the stumps. Kaia gets a good stride forward and keeps it out. After 5 overs, Zimbabwe are 35/1.
9 Over | Run: 35/1 | Run Rate: 7.00
04.84.5: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Innocent Kaia, Fuller and quicker on off. Kaia keeps it out.
04.74.4: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Innocent Kaia, Flighted full, on off. Kaia presses forward and defends into the off side.
04.64.4: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Innocent Kaia, WIDE! Fuller and quicker, sliding down the leg. Kaia plays and misses. A third wide in the over.
04.54.4: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Innocent Kaia, WIDE! Fraction short, down the leg. Kaia looks to pull but misses. Wide signaled.
24.44.3: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Innocent Kaia, Tossed up on the middle and leg. Kaia nudges it through the gap at mid-wicket and they take two.
14.34.2: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Brian Bennett, Flatter off-break, turning into the middle and leg. Bennett punches it down to long on for one.
04.24.2: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Brian Bennett, WIDE! Fuller, sliding down the leg. Bennett plays and misses. Wided.
04.14.1: Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Brian Bennett, Flatter delivery, just outside off. Bennett pushes it toward the man at short extra cover.
63.63.6: Azmatullah Omarzai to Innocent Kaia, SIX! All the way! A bumper around the left shoulder. Kaia gets into a good position, picks it early, and hooks it over the fine leg fence for half a dozen.
6 Over | Run: 29/1 | Run Rate: 7.25
03.53.5: Azmatullah Omarzai to Innocent Kaia, On a length, just outside off. Kaia shimmies down the track to heave it across the line but misses.
43.43.4: Azmatullah Omarzai to Innocent Kaia, FOUR! Put away! A low full toss on the pad. Kaia flicks it away toward deep square leg for a much needed boundary.
03.33.3: Azmatullah Omarzai to Innocent Kaia, Full pitcher, on off. Kaia strokes it toward the man at mid off.
33.23.2: Azmatullah Omarzai to Brian Bennett, Back of a length on the middle stump line. Bennett charges down the track and hacks it toward the deep mid-wicket region for three runs.
13.13.1: Azmatullah Omarzai to Innocent Kaia, On a hard length, on off. Kaia taps into the off side and crosses for a single.
12.62.6: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Innocent Kaia, A sharp bouncer, thudding flush into his shoulders! Rocketed straight at Kaia, with perhaps a touch of glove, as the ball trickled away behind him. He’s off in a flash, sprinting through to the other end, and the umpire signals runs for the batter.
6 Over | Run: 15/1 | Run Rate: 5.00
02.52.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Innocent Kaia, Slower ball on the full, just outside off. Kaia squeezes it toward the man at short third.
22.42.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Innocent Kaia, Good length delivery, swings back into the middle and leg stump line. Kaia shimmies down and whips it off the inner half toward the fine leg region. A fine diving effort from Ijaz Ahmadzai keeps it to a couple.
02.32.3: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Innocent Kaia, Fuller than a good length, nips back into the middle stump line. Kaia prods to defend, but plays the wrong line and is pinned in front. Appeal from the bowler for LBW, but the umpire turns it down. Probably going over the stumps as Afghanistan do not take the review.
02.22.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ben Curran, OUT! TAKEN! Fazalhaq Farooqi draws first blood. Back of a length, angled into the middle stump line. Curran tries to hack it across the line but gets rushed for pace and miscues the pull toward Azmatullah Omarzai at mid-wicket region, who completes the catch. Curran goes for just 7. Zimbabwe are rocked early in the chase.
02.12.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ben Curran, Curran misses out on a freebie! A slower ball, full toss on the middle stump line. Curran gets inside the line and helps it toward short fine leg.
11.61.6: Azmatullah Omarzai to Ben Curran, Slower ball on the full, on the leg. Curran clips it through backward square leg for one.
6 Over | Run: 12/0 | Run Rate: 6.00
01.51.5: Azmatullah Omarzai to Ben Curran, Back of a length, just outside off. Curran mistimes the pull, comes off the toe end and rolls toward mid-wicket fielder.
11.41.4: Azmatullah Omarzai to Brian Bennett, Short of a good length, moving away around off. Bennett dabs it to the left of the backward point fielder for a single.
11.31.3: Azmatullah Omarzai to Ben Curran, Fuller than a length on off. Curran drives it on the up toward mid off for a single.
41.21.2: Azmatullah Omarzai to Ben Curran, FOUR! Whacked! Back of a length, just outside off. Sits up nicely for Curran, who hammers the pull shot through mid-wicket for a cracking boundary.
01.11.1: Azmatullah Omarzai to Brian Bennett, LEG BYE! Short of a good length, it jags back into the leg stump line. Bennett tries to tuck it across the line but misses, and it hits the thigh pad. The ball rolls through the gap at gully for a leg bye.
00.70.6: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ben Curran, Back of a length, angled into the middle. Curran hops and tucks into the mid-wicket region. Tidy over from Fazalhaq Farooqi.
7 Over | Run: 4/0 | Run Rate: 4.00
10.60.5: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Brian Bennett, On a hard length, on off. Brian Bennett dabs it toward the man at backward point for a single.
00.50.4: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Brian Bennett, Slower ball on the full, just outside off. Brian Bennett tries to hack it across the line but gets an inside edge onto the pad.
00.40.3: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Brian Bennett, Full pitcher, almost a yorker on off. Brian Bennett bunts it down the track.
10.30.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ben Curran, Short of a good length, a hint of swing, around off. Curran taps into the off side and takes a single.
00.20.2: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Ben Curran, WIDE! Pitched full, angling down the leg. Ben Curran plays and misses. Wide signaled.
10.10.1: Fazalhaq Farooqi to Brian Bennett, Farooqi starts with a good length delivery, swings back into the middle and leg stump line. Brian Bennett tries to work it across the line but gets an inside edge onto the pad, rolling toward point for a single.