Afghanistan's cricket team secured an emphatic 2-0 series victory over Zimbabwe with an eight-wicket win in the third One Day International (ODI) held on December 21, 2024, at Harare Sports Club. This victory not only marked the completion of the ODI series but also reinforced Afghanistan's dominance over Zimbabwe, as they have now sealed their seventh ODI series triumph against the hosts.
The match commenced with Afghanistan winning the toss and opting to bowl first. This decision proved pivotal as the Afghanistan bowlers, led by 18-year-old spinner Allah Ghazanfar, decimated Zimbabwe's batting lineup, which crumbled for just 127 runs within 30.1 overs. Ghazanfar's sensational bowling performance saw him claim five wickets for 33 runs, cementing his status as the Player of the Match. His remarkable feat was complemented by the experienced Rashid Khan, who contributed with three wickets for 38 runs.
Among Zimbabwe's players, Sean Williams emerged as the sole bright spot, scoring 60 runs off 61 balls, including six fours and three sixes. His attempts to steady the innings were thwarted as the rest of the batting order fell apart under pressure, with notable struggles from Sikandar Raza and Ben Curran, who managed only 13 and 12 runs, respectively. Zimbabwe's predicament was evident as they found themselves limping at 89 for 8 at one point.
During the run chase, Sediqullah Atal led the charge for Afghanistan, scoring 52 runs off 50 balls, featuring four fours and two sixes. His innings, combined with Abdul Malik's solid contribution of 29 runs, saw Afghanistan comfortably surpass the target within 26.5 overs, finishing at 131 for 2. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi chipped in with an unbeaten 20 runs, securing the team’s convincing victory with 139 balls to spare.
Following the match, Shahidi praised the performance of his young team, particularly highlighting Ghazanfar’s impact. “It is wonderful to see youngsters like Allah coming to the team and making such a big impact,” Shahidi remarked during the post-match interviews. His comments reflect the promising future of Afghan cricket, especially with young talents stepping up on international platforms.
Atal, who was awarded the Player of the Series for his outstanding performance, expressed gratitude to his teammates, stating, “First of all thanks to my dear Allah. All the teammates supported me throughout this tournament.” He noted the quality of the pitch helped them achieve good shots during their innings.
The series win adds to Afghanistan’s recent successes, having also clinched the preceding T20I series against Zimbabwe. The victory over Zimbabwe marks the sixth consecutive ODI series win for Afghanistan against them, highlighting their growing prowess in white-ball cricket.
Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine acknowledged the challenges his team faced, noting, “Obviously, we’ve got to look forward to the test, but I think, throughout this series, we did find it tough.” He emphasized the need for improvement as they prepare for two upcoming Test matches against Afghanistan, scheduled to start on December 26, 2024.
Both teams now shift their focus to Test cricket, with Zimbabwe hosting Afghanistan for the first time since their rain-affected Boxing Day Test against England back in 1996. This upcoming series will serve as another opportunity for Zimbabwe to redeem themselves after this disappointing ODI outing.
Overall, Afghanistan's commanding performance throughout the ODI series showcases their growth as a competitive force on the international cricketing stage. With promising young talent like Ghazanfar and established stars like Rashid Khan and Atal, the future looks bright as they head toward significant challenges, including the impending Champions Trophy.
