Sloppy Afghanistan suffer 8-wicket loss against Zimbabwe in1st ODI at Bulawayo

Asian minnows, Afghanistan suffered an embarassing eight-wicket loss to African minnows Zimbabwe in the first of the five-match ODI series at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Friday. It was Wellington Masakadza's four-wicket haul and Tendai Chisoro and well as Luke Jongwe's three-wicket haul each, that made Afghanistan get bowled out for mere 122 in 34.1 overs. It was the sensible knock of Richmond Mutumbani and Chamu Chibhabha of 30 and 58, respectively that was enough for Zimbabwe to chase the low total down in just 23.2 overs, with a price for just two wickets. Amir Hamza and Aftab Alam are the only two bowlers from Afghanistan to claim the wickets. SCORECARD: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2015, 1st ODI at Bulawayo Earlier, Afghanistan skipper Asghar Stanikzai won the toss and elected to bat first. However, their batting line-up was off to a horrible start as they lost their opening couple of wicket with just 15 runs on the board and half of the team was back in the pavilion at the score of 52. As the score was about to touch the 100-run mark, Afghanistan were eight down at the score of 95. As the score touched 122, the final reamining two wicket too collpased as they were bundled at the score. As Zimbabwe began their innings, they were off to a positive start, with the openers putting up the opening 50-run stand as Mutrumbani fell for 30 at the score of 53, followed by Chamu Chibhabha at the score of 97 for an impressive 58 and it was the final pair of Craig Ervine and Tinotenda Mutumbodzi that put up the winning runs to go 1-0 up in the series. Brief scores: Afghanistan 122 in 34.1 Overs (Najibullah Zadran 25, Dawlat Zadran 25; Wellington Masakadza 4 for 21, Tendai Chisoro 3 for 16) lost to Zimbabwe 126 for 2 in 23.2 Overs (Richmond Mutumbami 30, Chamu Chibhabha 58; Aftab Alam 1 for 21) by 8 wickets. Full Scorecard Aftab Alam