Afghanistan Clinches ODI Series Victory Against Zimbabwe

Harare, December 22, 2024 — In an electrifying display of cricket, Afghanistan clinched a remarkable 2-1 victory in the One-Day International (ODI) series against Zimbabwe. The series, held at the Harare Sports Club, concluded on Friday, December 22, with a thrilling three-wicket win for Afghanistan in the final match.

Decisive Performance in the Final Match

The series decider kicked off at 9:00 AM local time on December 22. Zimbabwe, opting to bat first, posted a competitive total of 270 runs in 50 overs. Opener Craig Ervine was the star of the innings, scoring a brilliant 88 off 95 balls, while Sikandar Raza chipped in with a crucial 52 off 63 balls.

Afghanistan's bowlers, led by Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, kept the hosts in check during the final overs. Rashid took 3/47, while Mujeeb claimed 2/42, ensuring Zimbabwe didn’t surpass the 300-run mark.

In response, Afghanistan’s chase began at 1:30 PM. Ibrahim Zadran anchored the innings with a composed 94 off 110 balls, while Rahmat Shah supported with a steady 67 runs. The game reached its climax in the final over, with Afghanistan needing 12 runs from 6 balls. Najibullah Zadran smashed an unbeaten 45 off 23 balls, including two boundaries in the penultimate over, to seal the victory with two balls to spare at 6:45 PM.

Series Highlights

The series, which began on December 18 and featured three matches, saw Afghanistan outshine Zimbabwe in all facets of the game.

• First ODI (December 18, 2024): Afghanistan secured a comfortable 7-wicket win, chasing down Zimbabwe's 238-run target in just 47 overs.
• Second ODI (December 20, 2024): Zimbabwe bounced back, winning by 21 runs in a low-scoring affair, setting up a thrilling decider.
• Third ODI (December 22, 2024): Afghanistan triumphed in the decider, clinching the series 2-1.

Key Performers

• Rashid Khan: The Afghan spinner dominated the series with 11 wickets, including a match-winning 3/47 in the final ODI. His consistent performances earned him the Player of the Series award.
• Ibrahim Zadran: The opening batsman accumulated 230 runs in the series at an average of 76.67, including two fifties.
• Najibullah Zadran: His explosive 45 not out in the series decider proved crucial for Afghanistan’s victory.

Zimbabwe also had standout performers, with Craig Ervine (188 runs in the series) and Blessing Muzarabani (6 wickets) delivering impressive performances.

Post-Match Reactions

Speaking after the final match, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said, “This series win is a testament to our team’s hard work and unity. Zimbabwe fought hard, but our boys showed great character. This victory is dedicated to our fans back home.”

Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine lauded Afghanistan’s performance while reflecting on his team’s efforts. “Afghanistan played exceptional cricket, but we had our moments too. We’ll work on our shortcomings and come back stronger,” he said.

Looking Ahead

Afghanistan’s victory on December 22 serves as a massive boost ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers. The team’s consistent performance underscores their growing stature in international cricket.

Zimbabwe, despite the loss, showed resilience throughout the series. Their focus now shifts to refining their strategies as they prepare for upcoming international fixtures.

Afghanistan’s triumph is more than just a series win—it is a celebration of their meteoric rise in the world of cricket, inspiring fans worldwide.