Harare: The Afghanistan cricket team led by Rashid Khan defeated host Zimbabwe by 3 wickets in the third and final T20 match of the series played in Harare on Saturday and won the series 2-1. Zimbabwe, who came to bat first after losing the toss, were all out after scoring 127 runs in 19.5 overs. After this, Afghanistan achieved the target of 128 runs with 3 wickets and 3 balls remaining. Azmatullah Omarzai made the highest score of 34 runs. Mohammad Nabi, on the other hand, took the team across the threshold of victory by scoring 24 runs in 18 balls.

Zimbabwe had a bad start

After losing the toss, Zimbabwe came to bat first and had a bad start and lost the first wicket on the last ball of the first over. Murumani was caught by Naveen Ul Bak. After this, Brian Bennett and Diane Myers took the innings forward and took the team to 41 runs in 5 overs. But on the first ball of the sixth over, Omarzai got Myers (13 runs in 12 balls) caught and gave his team the second success. In the powerplay, Zimbabwe could score 47 runs at the loss of 2 wickets.

Zimbabwe's score reached 57 in 8 overs. In such a situation, Bennett, who was holding one end, was caught by Omarzai on 31 runs. After this, Captain Sikandar Raza, who came to bat, was also caught by Mujeeb Ur Rahman on the last ball of the 11th over on a score of 78. Mujeeb dismissed Wesley Madheveera on a score of 81.

Half of Zimbabwe's team back in pavilion at 81 runs

Half of Zimbabwe's team was out on 81 runs in 12.2 overs. After this, wickets kept falling continuously. The host team lost 9 wickets on 106 runs in 17 overs. But in the end, Trevor Gwandu and Wellington Masakadza took charge and took the score to 127 runs in 19.5 overs. On the fifth ball of the 20th over, Naveen Ul Haq caught Masakadza and ended Zimbabwe's innings. Rashid Khan was the most successful bowler of Afghanistan, he took 4 wickets. Naveen Ul Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Amanatullah Omarzai got 2-2 wickets each.

Afghanistan's team, which came out to chase the target of 128 runs for victory, had a bad start. Sadiqullah Atal returned to the pavilion after scoring 3 runs and Zubaid Akbari returned after scoring 2 runs at the score of 7 runs. After this, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Darwish Rasooli took the innings forward. They lost their third wicket at 33 runs. On the fifth ball of the seventh over, Gurbaz also returned to the pavilion after scoring 15 runs.

Afghanistan lost 4 wickets for 44 runs

After losing 4 wickets for 44 runs, Afghanistan team looked in trouble. In such a situation, Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib handled the innings. Both took the score to 92 runs. But on the third ball of the 14th over, Naib was LBW on the ball of Sikandar Raza after scoring 22 (22). After this, Omarzai got the support of Mohammad Nabi. Both took the score to 114 runs. Omarzai was caught in the follow through on Raza's ball after scoring 34 runs. Rashid Khan was also caught on 121 runs. 7 wickets were caught by Gwandu on 121 runs. In the end, Nabi, who was holding one end, along with Mujeeb ur Rahman, gave the team victory with three balls to spare. Azmatullah Omarzai was chosen as the Player of the Match for his all-round performance. Naveen Ul Haq was chosen as the Player of the Series.