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Afghanistan slump to shocking defeat vs Zimbabwe; hosts keep series alive

Afghanistan are still leading the series 2-1 after winning the first two games comprehensively.

Sean Williams failed with the bat but led from the front with the ball © Getty Images
Sean Williams failed with the bat but led from the front with the ball © Getty Images

Zimbabwe showed immense character to defend a small total against Afghanistan at Harare. Opting to bat, Zimbabwe saw another collapse in the third ODI, a do-or-die encounter for them, but kept the series alive against Afghanistan courtesy Sean Williams’ brilliance. Batting first, Graeme Cremer and co. must have hoped for change of fortunes as they fell flat in the previous two matches while chasing. Nonetheless, the script remained the same as they folded for a paltry score of 129 all-out. Nonetheless, complacency or over-confidence must have got the better of Afghanistan as they slumped to a shocking 3-run defeat. From being 107 for 4, they got reduced to 126 all-out. They will like to forget this tie and comeback hard in the remaining two matches to pocket the series. Full Cricket Scorecard, Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, 3rd ODI, Harare

In the first innings, Zimbabwe openers fell flat and disappointed yet again. A fifty in the previous game by Solomon Mire was followed by an 8-ball 4. Peter Moor tried stitching a partnership with Tarisai Musakanda but departed for 11. Afghanistan opened with spin and pace at one end. The move paid rich dividends as Fareed Ahmed got early breakthroughs and Amir Hazma held his end. Musakanda stayed at one end but saw wickets tumble from the other. Big guns, Craig Ervine and Williams, went cheaply as did Ryan Burl. Gulbadin Naib chipped in with regular dents which saw the hosts on the mat. Nonetheless, an 81-run stand between Musakanda and Malcolm Waller kept Zimbabwe in the hunt before Musakanda departed for 60.Rashid dismissed Zimbabwe’s lower order in no time and was on the verge of taking a hat-trick at one point.

Afghanistan started the chase in usual fashion with Mohammad Shahzad starting on his usual aggressive note. He lost Noor Ali Zadran before he himself departed for 20. Asghar Stanikzai, Rahmat Shah, Samiullah Shenwari and Mohammad Nabi played cameos but could not ensure total control in the innings. Nabi played a shocking stroke over the covers, trying to finish the game, but ended giving a simple catch. This had, more or less, sealed the deal for the hosts.

Williams failed with the bat but made up for it with the ball. He along with Tendai Chatara and Chris Mpofu picked up 3 wickets each to dismantle the tourists. Zimbabwe must be enthralled with their spirited effort as they did not give up defending a paltry score and kept the series alive.

Are Afghanistan making it a habit?

In the end, the match also left viewers with an apt reaction:

Brief Scores:

Zimbabwe 129 all-out in 32.4 overs (Tarisai Musakanda 60, Malcolm Waller 36*; Gulbadin Naib 4 for 27, Rashid Khan 3 for 29) beat Afghanistan 126 all-out in 29.3 overs (Asghar Stanikzai 31, Samiullah Shenwari 29; Sean Williams 3 for 15, Tendai Chatara 3 for 30) by 3 runs.

Man of the Match– Sean Williams & Tendai Chatara

Full Cricket Scorecard, Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, 3rd ODI, Harare

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