Afghanistan capped off an undefeated run in the ODI tri-series in the UAE with a clinical seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the final. After electing to bowl first, the Afghan attack dismantled the Zimbabwean lineup for 169 in 43.3 overs. Rashid Khan led the charge with figures of 3-41, while Mohammad Nabi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Bilal Sami chipped in with two wickets each.
Zimbabwe’s batting struggled early against a disciplined bowling attack. Farooqi dismissed Tadiwanashe Marumani and Tafadzwa Tsiga, while Azmatullah Omarzai accounted for Brian Bennett. Sami added to the pressure by removing Brendan Taylor, leaving Zimbabwe reeling at 55 for 4. Sikandar Raza offered resistance, scoring 68 to record his 27th ODI half-century, while Ryan Burl contributed 31. Their 60-run partnership provided a brief recovery before Nabi removed Burl and later stumped Wessly Madhevere, marking his 300th international wicket. He eventually fell for a 21-ball nine to Azmatullah Omarzai. Reducing Zimbabwe to 26 for 3 in the seventh over, farooqi had Tadiwanashe Marumani bowled before Bennett’s departure and also sent Tafadzwa Tsiga back cheaply. After Zimbabwe opted to bat, Brian Bennett struck a couple of boundaries but was otherwise kept quiet. Who edged an innocuous delivery behind, as Zimbabwe slipped to 55 for 4, sami then accounted for Brendan Taylor. His 27th in ODIs, while Burl chipped in with 31 off 45 balls, raza brought up a hard-earned fifty. But the breakthrough came too late to alter the outcome.
Despite the collapse, Raza continued to fight until he was eventually caught at long-off by Rashid, who also claimed the wickets of Brad Evans and Newman Nyamhuri. A late 32-run stand from Blessing Muzarabani and Wellington Masakadza briefly delayed the end before Sami wrapped up the innings. With wickets tumbling at the other end, Raza attempted to hold the innings together.
Afghanistan’s chase began aggressively, as openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran attacked the bowlers. Gurbaz struck four fours and two sixes in a 31-ball knock of 36 before falling to Nyamhuri. Following the dismissal of Sediqullah Atal, Zadran anchored the innings with an unbeaten 79 from 96 deliveries. Rahmat Shah provided valuable support with 43 runs before falling to a one-handed catch by Madhevere. Receiving support from Rahmanullah Gurbaz (36) and Rahmat Shah (43), as Afghanistan reached the target in 34.3 overs to complete an unbeaten run through, ibrahim Zadran anchored the chase with an unbeaten 70 off 96 balls. The third wicket pair added 82 before Rahmat’s 63-ball stay ended when Wessly Madhevere pulled off a stunning one-handed catch at mid-wicket. Brief scores: Zimbabwe 169 all-out in 43.3 overs (Sikandar Raza 68, Ryan Burl 31; Rashid Khan 3-41, Mohammad Nabi 2-25) lost to Afghanistan 170/3 in 34.3 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 79*, Rahmat Shah 43; Newman Nyamhuri 2-30). Brief scores: Zimbabwe 169 all-out in 43.3 overs (Sikandar Raza 68, Ryan Burl 31; Rashid Khan 3-41, Mohammad Nabi 2-25) lost to Afghanistan 170/3 in 34.3 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 79*, Rahmat Shah 43; Newman Nyamhuri 2-30) by 7 wickets.
Hashmatullah Shahidi joined Zadran to steer the side toward the target. The victory was secured in the 35th over when Shahidi hit a boundary off Madhevere, ending the match at 170/3. In the final scores, Zimbabwe finished at 169 all-out, while Afghanistan reached their target in 34.3 overs to clinch the title.
