Zimbabwe v Afghanistan 3rd ODI review: Zimbabwe take a 2-1 lead

Zimbabwe v Afghanistan 3rd ODI review: Zimbabwe take a 2-1 lead: Zimbabwe cautiously chased down the modest target of 223 set by Afghanistan to go 2-1 up in the 5-match ODI series. They won the match in an exciting last over finish as skipper Elton Chigumbura and Sikander Raza took them over the line.

Opener Richmond Mutumbami (74) and Captain Elton Chigumbura (50) were the chief architects of Zimbabwe’s victory today. It was a bright sunny day today, unlike the overcast condition in the last match. Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first.

After their sterling performance in the 2nd game, Afghanistan did not make any changes in their playing XI. However, the form of middle-order batsman Nawroz Mangal on this tour has become a concern. For Zimbabwe, Sean Williams was fit again and replaced Nyumbu in the team.

Shahzad and Noor Ali Zadran gave Afghanistan a perfect start. Shehzad was in a murderous mood today. He was hammering whatever came his way. But his threat was soon quarantined by spinner Sean Williams. Mohammed Nabi, last match’s centurion was the next batsman in. He formed a decent partnership with Zadran and took Afghanistan’s score over hundred.

However, Chisoro provided Zimbabwe a very important breakthrough, not once but twice in the same over. First, he invited Zadran to play a mistimed shot and dismissed him for a well-made century. Then, he got the out of form Nawroz Mangal in the same over.

Afghanistan innings soon went off balance and they kept losing wickets consistently. But, useful contributions from Shafiullah (35) and Dawlat Zadran (23) made sure that they reached a total of 222 runs at the end of 50 overs.

Afghanistan, for a change began with spinner Amir Hamza. The Zimbabweans started cautiously, maintained a decent run rate and continued in the same fashion. Chibhabha (18) was the first batsman to get out. He batting well but was given out unluckily for handling the ball.

Richmond Mutumbami’s aggressive batting ensured that the run rate did not slow down. The next batsman, Craig Ervine did not make his presence felt today but the positive thing was that Zimbabwe never lost wickets in sets.

Mutumbami was finally taken by Amir Hamza while he had already scored a match-winning 74. The fit-again Sean Williams and skipper Elton Chigumbura then came together and added 61 in a partnership which took Zimbabwe further close to the victory.

After the fall of Sean Williams, Sikander Raza came in to bat and paced things. Zimbabwe needed only 3 runs in the last over and the skipper only one to complete his half-century. Raza exchanged strike with Chigumbura with a single and then skipper took another single to complete a confidence-boosting half-century. The atmosphere was little tense in spite of the fact that they required only 1 run to win off 3 balls.

But, Raza put an end to all the nerves by hitting a majestic six to wrap up the encounter. Skipper Chigumbura’s form was becoming a cause of worry for Zimbabwe, but there would be a sigh of relief in the camp after he spent some time at the crease.

On the other hand, Afghanistan lost its way in the game in the middle overs while defending. In the last match they were successful in choking the home team for runs. Amir Hamza was their only successful bowler today while others failed to provide breakthroughs.

Zimbabwe displayed some smart work by ticking singles whenever there was an opportunity. With this tactic, they also ensured that there was no batting collapse.

Brief Scores:

Afghanistan – 223/8 50 overs (Noor Ali Zadran 56, Mohammed Nabi 42; T Chisoro 2-42)

Zimbabwe – 252/6 50 overs (R. Mutumbami 74 E Chigumbura; A Hamza 3-47)

Man of the Match – Richmond Mutumbami