Published: Oct 24, 2015, 09:24 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 24, 2015, 09:24 PM (IST)
Afghanistan continue their upward rise in the world of cricket and this time have made a giant leap by beating Zimbabwe in their five-match One-Day International (ODI) series by a 3-2 margin. This is Afghanistan’s first ever series victory over a full member in any format of the game and the country will be immersed in cricketing euphoria. Moreover, Afghanistan won the decider by a commanding margin of 73 runs which makes their victory that much more special. The team were competent throughout the series and have reaped the rewards for their persistence. UPDATES: Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan 2015, 5th ODI at Bulawayo: Afghanistan seal historic series win
Their effort in the final match on Saturday was headlined by three strong individual performances including fifties by Noor Ali Zadran and Mohammad Nabi and outstanding bowling spell by Dawlat Zadran which saw him take four wickets for 22 runs. Nevertheless, the team came together and gave Zimbabwe a beating in every domain.
Afghanistan’s bowlers were all over Zimbabwe and with the sole exception of Sean Williams who scored a valiant hundred. Williams, despite his hundred coming at a strike rate of over eighty, failed to garner any support at the other end and soon found his team in a hopeless position. He was the last wicket to fall. It will be a crushing blow for a struggling Zimbabwe, but for Afghanistan it is a day of pride.
Brief scores:
Afghanistan 245 for nine in 50 overs (Noor Ali Zadran 54, Mohammad Nabi 53; Wellington Masakadza 3 for 31) beat Zimbabwe 172 all out in 44.1 overs (Sean Williams 102; Dawlat Zadran 4 for 22, Amir Hamza 3 for 41) by 73 runs.
