ABU DHABI — Afghanistan might have failed to win the Test series, but they sealed a 2-0 unbeatable lead in the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe after winning the 2nd T20I by a handsome 45-run margin at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
Indian Premier League stars Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan were the stars of Afghanistan’s big win as the duo came up with all-round show to outclass Zimbabwe. After opting to bat, Afghanistan posted 193 on the board in their quota of 20 overs before restricting the visitors to 148-all out in 17,1 overs.
A quickfire 53 from 38 balls from Karim Janat and a 15-ball 40 from senior campaigner Mohammad Nabi helped Afghanistan post the big total. They lost wicketkeeper
Gurbaz for 9 as early as the second over, but Janat and Usman Ghani stitched a 102-run stand for the second wicket in just 10,4 overs. While Janat hit 4 sixes and 3 boundaries, Ghani hit 2 sixes and 5 boundaries for his 34-ball 49.
Sunrisers Hyderabad star Nabi cut loose at the death over, hitting 4 sixes and 2 boundaries to push Afghanistan’s total beyond 190. Captain Ashgar Afghan (14*), and Rashid Khan (9*) chipped in as well.
Pacer Naveen-ul-Haq jolted the Zimbabwe top-order which slipped to 56 for 5 in the 7th over. Mohammad Nabi got the big wicket of captain Sean Williams while Rashid Khan ran through the lower-middle order.
Ryan Buri showed some fight, hitting a 29-ball 40 but there was not much support from the rest of the batting unit. Rashid ended Buri’s resistance and picked up as many as 3 wickets to strike the telling blow.
While Naveen and Nabi picked up 2 wickets each, Rashid topped the charts with 3 wickets. Notably, Afghanistan had beaten Zimbabwe in the first T20I by 48 runs. The two teams will meet in the final match of the series today in Abu Dhabi.
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— IndiaToday
