Afghanistan Secures Historic 232-Run Victory Over Zimbabwe
Afghanistan showcased a stellar all-round performance to crush Zimbabwe by 232 runs in the second ODI in Harare. This victory marks Afghanistan’s largest margin of victory in ODIs and gives them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, after the first game was washed out.
Atal and Malik Dominate with the Bat
Afghanistan’s innings was headlined by an outstanding 191-run opening partnership between Sediqullah Atal and Abdul Malik. The inexperienced duo stepped up in the absence of injured players like Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, delivering career-defining knocks.
Key Highlights of Afghanistan’s Batting:
- Atal’s Maiden Century: Sediqullah Atal scored 104 runs, including six boundaries and three sixes.
- Malik’s Impressive 84: Abdul Malik supported brilliantly with a composed 84 off 91 balls.
- Late Contributions: Hashmatullah Shahidi and Mohammad Nabi added crucial runs to push the total to 286 for 6.
“Atal’s ability to convert a jittery start into a match-winning century is a testament to his mental toughness,” said Afghanistan’s head coach.
Zimbabwe’s Bowling Struggles
Zimbabwe’s bowlers failed to maintain consistency, conceding 40 extras and missing key opportunities. Debutant Tinotenda Maposa’s injury in the 16th over further hampered their attack.
Notable Bowling Performances:
- Newman Nyamhuri picked up 3 for 53, including the wickets of Atal and Malik.
- Sikandar Raza bowled a tidy spell of eight overs for 34 runs but went wicketless.
Zimbabwe’s Batting Collapse
Chasing 287, Zimbabwe crumbled under pressure, posting a dismal total of 54 all out in just 17.2 overs.
Afghanistan’s Bowling Masterclass:
- Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai: Delivered early breakthroughs, dismissing Zimbabwe’s top order within the first six overs.
- Ghazanfar and Naveed Zadran: Took over the middle and lower orders, with Ghazanfar picking 3 for 9 and Zadran 3 for 13.
Key Moments in Zimbabwe’s Collapse:
- Ben Curran’s run-out in the first over set the tone for Afghanistan’s dominance.
- Tadiwanashe Marumani and Craig Ervine fell to precise outswingers, leaving Zimbabwe reeling at 4 for 11.
“Our bowlers executed their plans perfectly, making full use of the swing and bounce on offer,” said Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi.
Farooqi Fined for ICC Code Breach
Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi was fined 15% of his match fee for showing dissent during an LBW appeal against Craig Ervine. This is his first disciplinary offence in 24 months, and one demerit point has been added to his record.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Afghanistan’s Rising Stars: Atal and Malik proved their potential as future stars for Afghanistan.
- Zimbabwe’s Batting Woes: The hosts’ inability to counter swing bowling remains a concern.
- Record Victory: Afghanistan’s largest margin of victory in ODIs underlines their growing dominance in the format.
FAQs
Q1: What is Afghanistan’s largest margin of victory in ODIs?
Afghanistan’s 232-run win over Zimbabwe in the second ODI is their largest margin of victory in terms of runs.
Q2: Who was the standout player in the match?
Sediqullah Atal’s maiden century and his crucial partnership with Abdul Malik were the highlights of Afghanistan’s batting.
Q3: How did Afghanistan’s bowlers dominate Zimbabwe?
Afghanistan’s bowlers exploited swing and variable bounce effectively, with Fazalhaq Farooqi and Ghazanfar leading the attack.
Q4: What’s next in the series?
Afghanistan leads the three-match series 1-0. The final ODI will determine whether they secure a clean sweep or Zimbabwe levels the series.
Afghanistan’s emphatic victory has set the stage for an exciting finale to the ODI series. With both teams aiming to end the year on a high, cricket fans can expect another thrilling encounter.
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