Nabi and Najibullah build on bowler’s good work to seal six-wicket win against Zimbabwe
The start to the match was exciting, as Raza struck a four and a six in the first over off Amir Hamza, even as Chibhabha played himself in.
Afghanistan
followed a historic series win in the One-Day Internationals against
Zimbabwe with a thrilling six-wicket win against the same opponent in
the first Twenty20 International of a two-match series.
Victory
was set-up by Dawlat Zadran’s three-wicket haul and an unbeaten
half-century stand between Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran at the
Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Monday (October 26).
After
opting to bat, Sikandar Raza (59) and Chamu Chibhabha (54) had put on a
century stand for the opening wicket before Zimbabwe's batting was kept
to 153 for 5, with Dawlat returning 3 for 29 in his four overs.
Dawlat was on a hat-trick at one stage, while Nabi and Rashid Khan also took a wicket each.
Afghanistan
lost a few wickets during the middle overs, but its batsmen ensured
that the side was never out of the chase. Najibullah (37 not out off 26)
and Nabi (33 not out off 25) put on an unbroken 69-run partnership off
just 49 balls for the fifth wicket, steering the side from 85 for 4 in
11 overs to the target of 154 in 19.1 overs.
The start to the match was exciting, as Raza struck a four and a six in the first over off Amir Hamza, even as Chibhabha played himself in.
Raza
could have been out for 32 when he was almost caught short of the
crease, but a missed direct hit chance at the striker’s end resulted in a
reprieve. The batsman made full use of the opportunity, scoring his
maiden T20I half-century off 31 deliveries.
Chibhabha
looked tentative and took his time to settle, but the steady hitting of
Raza allowed Zimbabwe to chug along at a healthy rate, bringing up a
century stand in 12.1 overs. Just when it seemed like Zimbabwe was set
to pile on a daunting total, Raza handed a return catch to Rashid to end
an entertaining 41-ball knock.
Although
Chibhabha went on to score a half-century, Zimbabwe was reined in after
the opening stand, with only 53 runs scored in the last 45 balls.
Afghanistan fought back through some excellent death bowling, with
Dawlat especially troubling the batsmen with a series of yorkers.
Sean
Williams failed to get going, and while Elton Chigumbura, the captain,
tonked his first ball for six he couldn’t add quick runs after that. It
was only Richmond Mutumbami's six off the last ball of the innings that
pushed Zimbabwe past the 150-run mark.
Afghanistan
showed early promise, when Mohammad Shahzad (34 off 21) and Usman Ghani
(13 off 18), the openers, started solidly, but was then jolted by
wickets. Tendai Chisoro, the left-arm spinner, ended the 48-run opening
stand in the seventh over, and Wellington Masakadza bowled Ghani in the
next over.
Asghar
Stanikzai, the captain, tried to plug holes with a couple of sixes but
was soon run out and Afghanistan lost its fourth wicket when Karim Sadiq
was caught behind for 17.
But
it was Nabi and Najibullah’s stand that turned the fortunes for
Afghanistan. The duo kept calm, paced their innings to perfection and
made sure that Afghanistan went over the line without losing any more
wickets.
Nabi
continued his good form and sparked a revival with some quick running
between the wickets and a couple of sixes. Najibullah also played a good
hand, with some fearless hits across the boundary. With six runs
required off the last over, Najibullah lofted the first delivery
straight down the ground to continue Afghanistan’s winning streak.
Afghanistan
can now add to its ODI series triumph if it is successful in the second
and final T20I, which will take place at the same venue on Wednesday.
To see the full scorecard of this game, please click here.
To see the full scorecard of this game, please click here.
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