Afg v Zim 2nd ODI Review: Shahzad's hundred stumps Zimbabwe

A fitting end to the year that saw Afghanistan take long strides in international cricket. Afghanistan ran down 254 with 14 balls to spare and a top-order batsman out in the middle as Mohammad Shahzad recorded the highest score for his team in ODIs, 131 not out off 133 balls.

Within four balls, Mohammad Nabi was run out. The first ball of Chigumbura’s third over took Asghar Stanikzai and the last ball of his fourth over tripped Samiullah Shenwari. Afghanistan had cobbled together only 30 runs in nine overs until the 40th, and they went into the final 10 without the big-hitting Najibullah Zadran, yet another Chigumbura victim.

From 169/1, Afghans were left crawling at 198/6. But it was left to Shahzad to make the difference. He smacked a mighty hit to reach his fifty and ticked in singles on a slow and low Sharjah wicket. He reached his half-century off 58 balls and galloped to the three-figure mark with seven sixes and six boundaries. Mohammad Nabi’s patient 33 and Mirwais Ashraf’s unbeaten 26 were vital to Afghanistan’s cause. For Zimbabwe Elton Chigumbura was the pick of the bowlers, scalping three wickets and giving away only 32 runs in his seven overs.

Mohammad Nabi’s patient 33 and Mirwais Ashraf’s unbeaten 26 were vital to Afghanistan’s cause. For Zimbabwe Elton Chigumbura was the pick of the bowlers, scalping three wickets and giving away only 32 runs in his seven overs.

Batting first, Zimbabwe might have thought of getting the chasers under a shackle after they did well to get to 253 at the end. Zimbabwe lost too many wickets at the end. They were nicely placed at 170/3, with Hamilton Masakadza and Craig Ervine batting without any trouble, but lost the next five sticks without much of an addition. Peter Moor provided a cracking start to the game with a well furnished fifty while Craig Ervine top-scored with 73, courtesy one six and seven boundaries. Graeme Cremer and Luke Jongwe smacked a six each to guide the visitors to a competitive score but left wanting in front of a spirited Afghan line-up.

Peter Moor provided a cracking start to the game with a well furnished fifty while Craig Ervine top-scored with 73, courtesy one six and seven boundaries. Graeme Cremer and Luke Jongwe smacked a six each to guide the visitors to a competitive score but left wanting in front of a spirited Afghan line-up.

Shahzad remained unbeaten on 131, hitting a wild slog that didn’t go according to plan but that was good enough to fetch a single and go 2-0 up in the 5 match ODI series. Zimbabwe will have their task cut out, as Afghan’s must be smelling a series wrap, come the new year.

Brief Scores:

Zimbabwe- 253/7 in 50 overs (Ervine 73; Zadran 3/57)

Afghanistan- 254/6 in 47.4 overs (Shahzad 131*; Chigumbura 3/32)

Man of the match: Mohammad Shahzad (Afghanistan)