Zimbabwe defeated Afghanistan by 7 wickets in their last match o0f the Tri-series played at Zahur Chaudhary Ahmed Stadium, Chattagroam on Friday.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan won the toss and decided to bat first. Their openers Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai got the team off to a flying start putting pressure on Zimbabwe bowlers. Both of them scored 54 runs at the end of 1st power play.
After the power play overs, Gurbaz and Zazai continued to score runs at a quick pace. As things were looked dangerous for Zimbabwe, Mutombodzi got the breakthrough dismissing Zazai for 31. Afghanistan openers added 83 runs which laid a strong foundation for a massive total.
Gurbaz looked in aggressive touch and reached his fifty off 40 balls. At one stage, Afghanistan were 107 for 2, the Zimbabwe bowlers kept picking wickets at regular intervals and Afghans to 155 for 8 in 20 overs. Mpofu picked his career-best figures in T20I format with 4 for 30.
Chasing down the target of 156 runs to win, Zimbabwe openers Brendon Taylor and captain Hamilton Masakadza took on Afghanistan bowlers. Mujeeb Ur Rahman got the breakthrough dismissing Brendon Taylor for 19. Zimbabwe openers added 40 runs in 4.5 overs. Zimbabwe scored 43 for 1 at the end of 6 overs.
Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza playing his final match in his international career played with aggressive intent and took on Afghanistan bowlers reaching 50 off 27 balls. Chakabva also made useful runs for Zimbabwe adding 70 runs for the 2nd wicket.
Masakadza went for a brilliant 71 off 42 balls. Chakabva also scored 39 of 32 balls before playing a big shot and caught out. Sean Williams scored 21 off 24 balls and helped Zimbabwe register 7 wickets win with 3 balls to spare.
Zimbabwe 156 for 3 in 19.3 overs (Hamilton Masakadza 71, Chakbva 39, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/28) beat Afghanistan 155 for 8 in 20 overs ( Gurbaz 61, Mpofu 4/30) by 7 wickets.
The final league match of the tournament will be played between Bangladesh and Afghanistan tomorrow.
