With a terrifying start to their ODI series, Zimbabwe edged past Afghanistan in a nail-biting last-ball victory, setting the stage for an intense contest between the two sides. The match was filled with dramatic twists and individual player brilliance, showcased Zimbabwe’s determination to outplay a tough Afghan side.
Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first. They had a promising start. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provided a strong foundation with a partnership that laid the groundwork for a huge total. Gurbaz scored a fluent 62 off 54 balls, while Zadran contributed a steady 45. However, Zimbabwe’s spinners, led by Wellington Masakadza and Sikandar Raza, pulled back control in the middle overs. They controled the flow of runs and took some crucial wickets. Contributions from Rashid Khan (34 off 22) and Mohammad Nabi (28 off 19) pushed Afghanistan to a competitive 278/9 in their 50 overs.
Zimbabwe’s chase began on a shaky note. The Afghan pacers attacked early and dismissed both openers easily. They put Zimbabwe under extreme pressure. Brian Bennett came into play and played the innings of his career. Combining poise with aggression, Bennett’s 89 off 102 balls steadied Zimbabwe’s innings and kept the chase alive. He found support in Sean Williams, whose quickfire 47 provided momentum during a crucial middle-order partnership.
As wickets tumbled in the latter stages, the game hung in the balance. With 15 runs required off the final over, the tension was intense. Zimbabwe’s lower order, led by the composed Blessing Muzarabani, showed remarkable determination under pressure. Clever running between the wickets and a timely boundary brought the equation down to two runs off the last ball. Muzarabani kept his cool, bowling the final delivery to the ropes to secure a stunning victory.
This victory shows Zimbabwe’s fighting spirit and ability to thrive in high-pressure scenarios. The defeat is a wake-up call for Afghanistan to address their middle-order vulnerabilities and fine-tune their bowling at the death.
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