Afghanistan asserted their dominance in the ongoing ODI Tri-Nation Series with a commanding 158-run victory over Zimbabwe at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday, October 19. The outcome, fueled by a brilliant century from Sediqullah Atal and a devastating four-wicket spell from captain Rashid Khan, significantly bolstered Afghanistan’s net run rate to +3.160. This result effectively shifts the pressure onto Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, who must now compete for the remaining position in the tournament final scheduled for Friday, October 23. Chasing 295, Zimbabwe only needed to score 196 to ensure that the final on Friday (October 23) would be a repeat of this contest.
Zimbabwe’s collapse in the chase
Tasked with a target of 295, Zimbabwe’s immediate priority was to reach 196 runs to secure a favorable net run rate that would have kept their qualification prospects firmly in their hands for the rematch. However, their innings faltered almost immediately. Fazalhaq Farooqi set the tone early, bowling Ben Curran with a sharp inswinger in the third over before returning to remove Tafadzwa Tsiga in the seventh. The situation deteriorated when Brendan Taylor was run out during the eighth over. By the time AM Ghazanfar trapped Brian Bennett LBW in the 13th, Zimbabwe had slumped to 43 for 4, effectively abandoning the chase for victory in favor of the survival threshold. Instead, they ended up getting bundled out for just 136.
The Rashid Khan masterclass
A momentary resurgence occurred when Ryan Burl and Sikandar Raza combined for a 64-run partnership, finally finding the boundary rope after a dry spell of 78 deliveries to reach the 100-run mark in the 30th over. This recovery proved fleeting, however, as Rashid Khan intervened to break the stand by trapping Burl LBW. The spin wizard maintained relentless pressure, dismissing batters in each of his subsequent three overs, including bowling Raza in the 36th to effectively dismantle Zimbabwe’s lineup. The innings concluded in the 39th over following a run-out involving Wellington Masakadza.
Afghanistan’s batting platform
Electing to bat first, Afghanistan initiated their assault with a rapid 50-run opening partnership inside seven overs before Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed chopping onto his stumps.
Undeterred, Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal formed a robust, fluent century stand, both navigating their way to half-centuries. While Brad Evans managed to halt Zadran’s progress at 90 in the 32nd over, triggering a minor middle-order stumble as Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai departed quickly, the side remained disciplined. A crucial 42-run partnership between Atal and Hashmatullah Shahidi steadied the ship, allowing Atal to secure his third career ODI century in the 44th over before he was eventually run out. Despite losing wickets in their pursuit of quick runs during the final four overs, Afghanistan posted a formidable total of 294. Dismissing Ibrahim Zadran 10 runs short of his century, afghanistan had already raised the tempo by the 32nd over when Brad Evans finally broke through.
- Afghanistan: 294 all-out in 50 overs (Sediqullah Atal 102, Ibrahim Zadran 90; Brad Evans 3-48, Ernest Masuku 3-44).
- Zimbabwe: 136 all-out in 38.4 overs (Sikandar Raza 48, Ryan Burl 31; Rashid Khan 4-17, Fazalhaq Farooqi 2-15).
