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Harare: Zimbabwe showed immense character to defend a small total against Afghanistan at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.
Opting to bat, Zimbabwe saw another collapse in the third ODI, a do-or-die encounter for them, but kept the series alive against Afghanistan courtesy Sean Williams’ brilliance.
Batting first, Graeme Cremer and co. must have hoped for change of fortunes as they fell flat in the previous two matches while chasing. Nonetheless, the script remained the same as they folded for a paltry score of 129 all-out.
Nonetheless, complacency or over-confidence must have got the better of Afghanistan as they slumped to a shocking 3-run defeat. From being 107 for 4, they got reduced to 126 all-out.
A fifty in the previous game by Solomon Mire was followed by an 8-ball 4. Peter Moor tried stitching a partnership with Tarisai Musakanda but departed for 11. Afghanistan opened with spin and pace at one end.
The move paid rich dividends as Fareed Ahmed got early breakthroughs and Amir Hazma held his end. Musakanda stayed at one end but saw wickets tumble from the other.
Big guns, Craig Ervine and Williams, went cheaply as did Ryan Burl. Gulbadin Naib chipped in with regular dents which saw the hosts on the mat.
Nonetheless, an 81-run stand between Musakanda and Malcolm Waller kept Zimbabwe in the hunt before Musakanda departed for 60.
Rashid dismissed Zimbabwe’s lower order in no time and was on the verge of taking a hat-trick at one point.
Afghanistan started the chase in usual fashion with Mohammad Shahzad starting on his usual aggressive note. He lost Noor Ali Zadran before he himself departed for 20.
Asghar Stanikzai, Rahmat Shah, Samiullah Shenwari and Mohammad Nabi played cameos but could not ensure total control in the innings. Nabi played a shocking stroke over the covers, trying to finish the game, but ended giving a simple catch.
Williams failed with the bat but made up for it with the ball. He along with Tendai Chatara and Chris Mpofu picked up 3 wickets each to dismantle the tourists.
Zimbabwe must be enthralled with their spirited effort as they did not give up defending a paltry score and kept the series alive.
Brief scores:
Zimbabwe - 129 (Musakanda 60, Gulbadin 4-27, Rashid Khan 3-29)
Afghanistan - 126 (Williams 3-15, Mpofu 3-24, Chatara 3-30)
Result - Zimbabwe won by 3 runs
