3rd ODI, Harare, June 09, 2022, 12:45 PM
135/10(44.5ov)
137/6(37.4ov)
Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 4 wickets
Right then. The presentation ceremony comes to an end. Now, Hashmatullah Shahidi collects the trophy and waits for his team to gather around and start the celebrations. Smiles across the faces of the Afghanistan players. They have not only won the series but have also moved up to the second spot in the World Cup Super League standings. Well, we have more action coming your way from Zimbabwe, as these two side meet in a three-match T20I series. The first match will begin at 1630 IST (1100 GMT). But as you all know you can join us early for the build-up. Till then, take care and goodbye!
Rahmat Shah wins the player of the series award for his exceptional feat with the blade. He agrees by saying that he did come with an ambition to win the Player of the Series in this tournament. Mentions the team came in here to win three games and he is glad he could contribute for his side. Mentions that they also arrived a bit early to this country which helped them to get familiar with the conditions.
Rashid Khan win the Man of the Match award. He says it was all about the bowling today. They tried to keep it simple and credits the way Mujeeb bowled and also the whole bowling attack who did really well. Mentions it was a difficult wicket to bat on and you need to be prepared on this wicket. Adds they bowled well too but they knew the target and they made it easier.
Hashmatullah Shahidi, the victorious skipper is in for a chat. He starts by saying it is a really proud moment for him and the team. Mentions there are a few bruises on his fingers but says it is worth it when you play for your country. Further says, Nabi will be the one to lead the side in T20I series and wishes him all the best.
Craig Ervine, the skipper of Zimbabwe, says the wicket today was the toughest and the bowlers came out fighting which gave them a small chance. States the bowlers were good and the batting was decent in parts. Adds they need to come up with a solution, they do not have a lot of time but they need to. Credits Blessing for the way he bowled.
Presentation time...
For Zimbabwe, Muzarabani and Chatara were brilliant with the new ball. They provided their team just the start they wanted but the others did not impress. Yes, Burl and Myers did get a wicket but it was a little too late. However, the bowlers can’t be blamed. It was their batters who let them down as they were bundled out for a very low score in the first half.
For Afghanistan, it was just about two batters doing well and it was Nabi and Shahidi who stepped up. They did keep losing wickets at regular intervals but two decent knocks is what it took for their side to get over the line. It wasn’t easy but the important thing is they eventually got there.
Afghanistan have finally, crawled their way to the target and have completed the whitewash! Credit to Zimbabwe though they really made the visitors work hard for the target. Maybe another 60 or 70 runs and the game could have well been different.
In over# 38
6
0
0
3
Ryan Burl 13/1(2.4)
37.4
6
SIX! BOOM! There it is, Mohammad Nabi scores the winning runs here. It is short and on off. Nabi stays back and smokes it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. AFGHANISTAN WIN THE GAME BY 4 WICKETS.
37.3
.
Short again and wide this time. Mohammad Nabi hits it well but stopped well by the diving point fielder.
37.2
.
Slightly short and on middle stump. Punches off the back foot to mid-wicket.
37.1
3
Floats the ball towards the leg stump. Rashid Khan works it off his leg fine of square leg. Brilliant effort from Dion Myers as he saves a boundary.
In over# 37
3
1
2
0
0
4
Tendai Chatara 32/2(10)
36.6
3
Full and on middle, Rashid Khan flicks it past mid-wicket. The fielder chases it. Three runs taken.
36.5
1
Outside off, this is cut to point for one.
36.4
2
Length and outside off, this is driven past covers for a brace.
36.3
.
On off, Mohammad Nabi cuts it to short third man and straight towards the fielder.