AFG vs ZIM, 4th ODI, Review: Afghanistan ease their way to another win

The Afghanistan cricket team is taking massive strides in International cricket. They have been doing exceptionally well in recent times and improving with every single game that they play. Afghanistan team that is currently playing a limited-over series against Zimbabwe in UAE is dominating the visiting side comprehensively. They won the 4th ODI against Zimbabwe quite comfortably by a margin of 10 wickets.

Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first in the game. They went in with two changes from the 3rd ODI while Afghanistan made one change to the side. Kyle Jarvis and Tarisai Musakanda were picked in the playing XI. Gulbadin Naib, who didn’t have a great series thus far was dropped from the side and Sharafuddin Ashraf was roped into the side. The Zimbabwean skipper, Graeme Creamer opined that 260 was a par score on that pitch at the toss.

However, the Zimbabwean innings didn’t go as per the skippers’ expectations. They lost their openers early in the innings and walked back to the pavilion in just the sixth over when the scoreboard read 15. Opener Solomon Mire made 9 runs while his partner Hamilton Masakazda scored just 4. Musakanda walked back to the hut just after scoring 9. But, their veteran batsmen Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine tried to get the team back to a commanding position.

While Taylor was dismissed for 30, Ervine scored a good looking half century and remained not out on 54. However, he lacked support from the other end and was left out to be the lone warrior. The team was bundled out quickly after they lost Taylor at 66. They lost the next six wickets for just 68 runs.

Afghanistan couldn’t have asked for anything better

The Afghan bowlers were on the top of their game. Mujeeb Zadran picked five wickets in the game dismantling the Zimbabwe line-up. Spinners Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan picked two wickets each while Sharafuddin Ashraf picked one wicket. The bowlers were relentless and kept the Zimbabwean batsmen on their toes.

Chasing a minimal target of 135, the Afghan batters were never troubled at any point in the game. The openers chased down the target in just the 22nd over. The opening duo finding the right form is a big positive for the hosts and the team will be very impressed with the performance.

The 30-year-old wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad scored a quick fire 75 off just 74 deliveries. His innings included 10 fours and 3 massive sixes. He was complemented perfectly by his partner Ihsanullah Janat who scored 51 off 53 deliveries which included 6 fours and 2 sixes. Moreover, Afghanistan took the lead up to 3-1 and also have won the series with this victory. Further, Mujeeb Zadran was adjudged the ‘Man of the Match’ for his five-wicket haul.

Brief Scores

Zimbabwe: 134/10 in 38 overs (Craig Ervine 54*, Brendan Taylor 30, Mujeeb Zadran 5/50)

Afghanistan: 135/0 in 21.1 overs (Mohammad Shahzad 75*, Ihsanullah Janat 51*)