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Live Cricket Score, Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, 4th ODI at Harare: ZIM win

Hello and Welcome to CricketCountry’s live blog session of the fourth ODI between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan.

afgan-live

Good Afternoon! Hello and Welcome to CricketCountry’s live blog session of the fourth ODI between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan that will be held at Harare Sports Club. The visitors had a golden opportunity of sealing the series in the third game just two days ago. Their bowlers displayed an impressive performance bowling out Zimbabwe for a paltry total of 129; but to everyone’s surprise, Afghanistan were bowled out for 126, losing the game by 3 runs. Despite this win, Afghanistan are still leading the five-game series by 2-1 having won the first two encounters. But this fourth ODI has a lot at stake as a win for Afghanistan will seal them a series while a win for Zimbabwe will pull the series at level with the last game to be the decider. Full Cricket Scorecard, Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 4th ODI at Harare

Excluding the visitors’ performance from the third ODI, Afghanistan have dominated the series. Their bowlers have been spot on in all the games. Excluding the first game which was intervened by persistent rains, the Afghanistan bowlers have successfully bowled out the entire Zimbabwe innings twice.

The concern for them is the inconsistency dwelling in their batting lineup. In the first game, their skipper Asghar Stanikzai scored a 50 while in the second, wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad scored 64 followed by Rahmat Shah scoring 53. Rest of the team has failed to click in their batting which has been their major concern. If they want to seal the series beforehand, it will be necessary that batting department justifies their role.

On the other hand, Zimbabwe displayed great determination in the third game. Despite having just 129 on the board, the hosts exhibited undying attitude to pull out an unlikely win to keep their challenge alive in the series. But excluding the third ODI performance, Zimbabwe have looked pale. The form their lead bowler Tendai Chatara will be a pleasing factor as he has taken the maximum wickets (8) in this series. Craig Ervine, Graeme Cremer, Sean Williams too have played important roles in restricting their opponents.

But Zimbabwe batsmen have failed to capitalise on the advantage of playing in home conditions. Solomon Mire bashed the Afghanistan bowlers in the second game with his 54 while Tarisai Musakanda scored resilient 60 in the third game. Apart from these, two no other batsmen has been able to score fifty, which displays their batting woes.

Zimbabwe will have to repeat their performance if they want the series to be decided in the final ODI of the series. Having the winning momentum and home advantage in their favour, Zimbabwe will have to make full use of it all even though with the odds in their opposition’s court.

Teams:

Zimbabwe: Graeme Cremer (c), Peter Moor, Ryan Burl, Tarisai Musakanda, Sikandar Raza, Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Wellington Masakadza, Donaldo Tiripano, Tendai Chatara, Christopher Mpofu, Nathan Waller, Craig Ervine, Solomon Mire, Carl Mumbai, Richard Ngarava

Afghanistan: Asghar Stanikzai (c), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Noor Ali Zadran, Ihsanullah Janat, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shaheedi, Samiullah Shenwari, Najeebullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Kareem Janat, Dawlat Zadran, Farid Ahmad, Aftab Alam

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