Zimbabwe v Afghanistan 5th ODI review: Afghan heroes create history with a series win

Zimbabwe v Afghanistan 5th ODI review: Afghan heroes create history with a series win: Today was a day to rejoice and celebrate for the cricket fans in the war-torn nation of Afghanistan. The players themselves have overcome adverse conditions to rise rapidly in the global map of international cricket.

Afghanistan today became the first Associate to beat a Full Member Test playing nation in a bilateral ODI series. No Associate team has ever beaten a full-member in a five-match series.

There wasn’t any big build-up before the match. There were other big matches which were under the spot light. However, no early predictions about the result were made before this match as the series was an evenly fought contest between both the teams who played good cricket throughout the series.

Afghanistan rose up from defeats every time in the series. And, by levelling the fourth ODI a couple of days back, they gave themselves a chance to create history.

Zimbabwe comfortably toppled the visitors in the first game but Mohammad Nabi’s maiden ODI hundred set up a comeback victory for Afghanistan in the second match. Zimbabwe won the third game with just two balls to spare and Afghanistan finished the 4th match with an exciting three-wicket win.

Elton Chigumbura won the toss and chose to field first. Zimbabweans might have seen this news as a good chance to win. At least statistically, as out of the 66 matches played at Queens Sport Club, 39 have been won by the side chasing and only 23 matches by the side defending the totals.

Zimbabwe went unchanged showing full confidence in their current playing XI. Afghanistan did the right thing by dropping the erratic Nawroz Mangal ahead the all-important match. But the plans did not work very well for Zimbabwe.

Magnificent half centuries from opener Noor Ali Zadran (54 off 88 deliveries) and Mohammad Nabi (53 off 70 deliveries) and valuable contributions from skipper Asghar Stanikzai (38 off 58 deliveries) and Mirwais Ashraf (21 off 18 deliveries) ensured that Afghanistan put up a respectable total of 245/9 at the end of the allocated 50 overs.

Afghanistan top order batsmen batted responsibly and played respectfully against the Zimbabwean bowlers, especially spinners. They had finally learned after the ups and down in the series that their strength lies in their bowling.

Zimbabwe had a satisfactory day on the field with the ball. Once again, it was their spinner who did the job for them. Sikandar Raza (3/40) and Wellington Masakadza (3/31) were the standout performers.

Zimbabwe opener Chamu Chibhabha and Richmond Mutumbami came to the field with a target of 246 runs to chase. The Afghanistan fielders began to scatter on the ground and there seemed a new confidence on the face of Afghanistan players.

The Zimbabwe openers began very disappointingly. Both the openers were sent back to the dressing room by Dawlat Zadran, Afghanistan’s leading bowler in the series. No.3 batsman Craig Ervine, too, was dismissed by Mirwais Ashraf. By the end of the 4th over, Zimbabwe were reeling at 15/3.

It was a very ominous start for a team chasing a target. The middle order tumbled and the hopes of winning the match began to fade away for Zimbabwe.

Afghanistan players were bowling miserly and runs were hard to come by for Zimbabwe batsman. Afghan bowlers looked pumped up and were bowling at their best. The batsman were weaved in tight ropes by spinners Rashid Khan (2/24) and Amir Hamza (3/41).

After a stage in the game, it was Sean Williams versus Afghanistan. Williams was fighting a lone battle which was nearing its horrible end for Zimbabwe.

The tail enders T. Chisoro (10 runs from 46 balls) and Luke Jongwe (16 runs from 22 balls) tried to resist and support Williams. But, with victory in front of their eyes, Stanikzai did not waste any time and brought in Dawlat Zadran who effectively wrapped up the game with his reverse-swinging yorkers.

Finally, it was time for celebrations as young Rashid Khan got Sean Williams stumped by M. Shahzad. As soon as the match came to its conclusion, Afghanistan took yet another significant step in their journey as a cricketing nation and an achievement which they can never forget.

The Afghan heroes had the hunger and desire to win. They looked relentless in their pursuit for glory. But, Zimbabwe were exactly opposite of it today. The superior looking batting order of Zimbabwe let them down on the big day while the trusted Afghan bowlers helped the team emerge triumphant in the end.

Brief Scores:

Afghanistan – 245/9 50 overs (Noor Ali Zadran 54, Mohammad Nabi 53; W Masakadza-3-31)

Zimbabwe – 172 all out 44.1 overs (Sean Williams 102, Luke Jongwe 16; Dawlat Zadran 4-22)

Afghanistan won by 73 runs.

Man of the Match: Shared between Sean Williams (Zim) and Dawlat Zadran (Afg).

Match of the Series: Mohammad Nabi.