Rashid Khan, Ibrahim Zadran lead Afghanistan to T20I series win vs Zimbabwe

NEW DELHI: Spinner Rashid Khan and opener Ibrahim Zadran starred as Afghanistan sealed a seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe on Friday, clinching the three-match T20I series 2-0 with one game still to play.


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After Zimbabwe opted to bat first at the Harare Sports Club, the hosts were bowled out for 125. Afghanistan comfortably chased down the target, reaching 129/3 with 12 balls to spare.




The visitors bounced back strongly after their heavy defeat in the one-off Test earlier this week. They had already taken a 1-0 lead in the series with a 53-run win in the opening T20 on Wednesday. The final match, now a dead rubber, will be played on Sunday.

Rashid Khan led from the front with a brilliant spell of 3 for 9, removing Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza, who top-scored with 37 off 32 balls (4 fours). Raza was caught and bowled while trying to drive a delivery angling towards off stump, handing the Afghan skipper a crucial breakthrough.

Khan struck again just three balls later in the 16th over, dismissing Tashinga Musekiwa (13) with a clever googly, caught by Mohammad Nabi at long-on. The pair’s 24-run stand for the sixth wicket turned out to be Zimbabwe’s best partnership after early failures from Dion Myers (6) and Brendan Taylor (3).

Rashid’s final victim was Brad Evans (12), trapped leg before while attempting a sweep as Zimbabwe struggled for late runs.

In reply, Ibrahim Zadran once again anchored Afghanistan’s chase, scoring an unbeaten 57 off 51 balls — his 12th T20I half-century — following his 52 in the first match. His knock included seven fours, ensuring the visitors remained in control throughout.

Azmatullah Omarzai (19*) completed the formalities, striking the winning boundary past long-off to wrap up a convincing victory and series triumph for Afghanistan.
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