3rd T20I, Harare, December 14, 2024, 05:00 PM
Zimbabwe
127/10(19.5ov)
Afghanistan
128/7(19.3ov)
Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 3 wickets
Afghanistan clinch the series. Zimbabwe were in the game but they were short of runs. Rashid Khan collects the trophy and joins his teammates as they pose for the cameras. Hope you'll enjoy the coverage. It's time for the ODI series to kick off. The action starts on the 17th of this month at 7.30 am GMT. Do join us earlier for the build up. That's from our side. It's goodbye for now!
Rashid Khan says he's happy with the series win. Tells their fielding was a standout as compared to the first game where they lost. Mentions low scoring games are always tricky but Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai did well in the middle. Feels there is still plenty of work to do in the batting unit. Ends by saying it's important to start the tour with a win.
Sikandar Raza says 150 was a par score but unfortunately, they struggled to capitalize on the good start once again. Tells its disheartening to repeat the same mistake but is optimistic they'll turn things around. Shares the environment in positive and it's just about reading the situation well while batting. Says they were hunting for wickets and tried everything on the field but it's always tough to bowl with so many extras bowled.
Naveen-ul-Haq wins the PLAYER OF THE SERIES AWARD. He says the ball was seaming around with overcast conditions. Mentions a couple of practise sessions helped them to adopt the conditions quickly.
Azmatullah Omarzai wins the PLAYER OF THE MATCH AWARD for his all round performance! He says a tough situation to bat on but they succeeded by rotating the strike. Tells he tries to give 100% to his team.
...Presentation...
Zimbabwe had to take their chances with overcast conditions. Despite a low total on the board, Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava bowled well with the new ball and troubled the Afghan batters. However, they were well short of runs and even one boundary in an over was pulling the game away from them. Zimbabwe kept taking wickets regularly and hung in there but not for long. Another 15-20 runs could have helped Zimbabwe! Sikandar Raza once again will stress on his batting unit who have failed once again to make an impact.
It was not an easy win for Afghanistan as they were 44/4 at one stage and in all sorts of trouble while chasing an under par score. However, Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib joined hands and put in a solid partnership. They had to be calculative as boundaries were hard to get by, the duo worked in singles and doubles to get them back on track. Both fell in the process but Mohammad Nabi showed his experience and helped his team seal the series.
A superb effort from Zimbabwe to stretch this game right till the last over. Despite such a low score on the board, Raza will be proud of his boys for the way they have played.
In over# 20
1
2
4
Faraz Akram 17/0(1.3)
19.3
1
THERE IS THE SINGLE! Nabi is the hero for them yet again. Pin drop silence in the ground here and Afghanistan have sealed the series. Around off. Length. This is slapped towards mid off for one.
19.2
2
This lands safe! Scores level! Outside off. Nabi looks to go over covers but this goes off the outer half towards deep cover for two.
19.1
4
FOUR! Nicely played! Excellent and all the pressure has been released! Just the the needed in 5 now. Nabi makes room. He's followed. He just helps it on its way past the short fine leg fielder and this races away to the fence.
In over# 19
0W
1
4
1
0
0
Trevor Gwandu 30/2(4)
OUT! TAKEN! That's a fine catch under pressure by Akram. That will really make him feel good. He was poor with the ball but takes a good catch. Gwandu gets rid of Rashid and now, Afghanistan need 7 in 6. He bangs it short and it takes Rashid by surprise. He looks to pull but this goes off the top edge towards fine leg. Akram runs in and takes it. What an ending to the game.
18.6
W
OUT! TAKEN! That's a fine catch under pressure by Akram. That will really make him feel good. He was poor with the ball but takes a good catch. Gwandu gets rid of Rashid and now, Afghanistan need 7 in 6. He bangs it short and it takes Rashid by surprise. He looks to pull but this goes off the top edge towards fine leg. Akram runs in and takes it. What an ending to the game.
18.5
1
Now takes one! On the pads. This is worked to short fine leg for one. 7 from 7 needed.
18.4
4
FOUR! Guided away! That will release the pressure! Shorter and outside off. Nabi waits and then guides it past point. This races away.
18.3
1
Gets off strike! On middle. This is worked through square leg for one.