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Zimbabwe ends 5 year wait for T20I victory over Afghanistan
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Zimbabwe finally broke a five-year drought against Afghanistan in T20I cricket, claiming a thrilling four-wicket win in a last-ball decider at Harare Sports Club yesterday. This marks their first victory over the Afghan side since the Bangladesh Twenty20 Tri-Series in 2019, where Zimbabwe won by seven wickets.
Since that triumph, the Chevrons have endured a challenging run, suffering multiple series defeats to Afghanistan, including two 3-0 whitewashes in 2020/21 (UAE) and 2022 (Harare), as well as three consecutive 2-0 losses and a heavy defeat at the 2016 T20 World Cup. Yesterday's result was a much-needed morale booster, particularly following Zimbabwe's recent struggles against Pakistan in Bulawayo.
Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat, posting 144/6 in 20 overs. Zimbabwe responded with a calculated chase, reaching 145/6 on the final ball of the match. Skipper Sikandar Raza hailed the victory as a critical confidence booster for the team.
“Zimbabwe needed that victory. We needed it for the changing room and for the fans to start believing. A win like that basically will tell us where we went wrong. Sometimes, the result is not in our control, but we have agreed to give it everything we have for the nation,” Raza said.
The captain also praised young Tashinga Musekiwa, who scored the winning runs with remarkable composure. Zimbabwe needed 11 runs from the last over, and Musekiwa delivered, finishing the game with a single off the final delivery.
“We spent a lot of time identifying he (Musekiwa) could be a finisher. It will do him a world of good and hopefully he starts believing in his ability as much as we do. I couldn't be happier or prouder,” Raza added.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan admitted his side fell short with the bat and failed to adapt to the conditions.
“We were 15-17 runs short. Nabi and Karim played really well in the middle, but we gave away too many wickets early on. In T20s, it's hard to come back from that. We could have bowled better,” said Khan.
Despite these setbacks, he commended Mohammad Nabi's efforts, noting the crucial wicket he took to bring Afghanistan back into the game temporarily.
Zimbabwe's bowling attack set the tone early. Richard Ngarava struck on the third ball of the match, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck. Ngarava finished with figures of 3/28 in his four overs. Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu, and Wellington Masakadza chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Afghanistan's innings was bolstered by a 79-run sixth-wicket partnership between Karim Janat (54* runs) and Mohammad Nabi (44 runs off 27 balls), rescuing them from a precarious 58/5.
Zimbabwe's chase was anchored by a second-wicket stand of 75 runs between Dion Myers (32 runs off 29 balls) and Brian Bennett, who narrowly missed his fourth T20I half-century with 49 runs. Musekiwa's finishing heroics ensured a dramatic victory for the hosts.
With the victory, Zimbabwe leads the three-match series 1-0. The second T20I is scheduled for tomorrow at the same venue, starting at 1:30 PM local time. The Chevrons will look to carry their momentum forward and clinch the series.
Since that triumph, the Chevrons have endured a challenging run, suffering multiple series defeats to Afghanistan, including two 3-0 whitewashes in 2020/21 (UAE) and 2022 (Harare), as well as three consecutive 2-0 losses and a heavy defeat at the 2016 T20 World Cup. Yesterday's result was a much-needed morale booster, particularly following Zimbabwe's recent struggles against Pakistan in Bulawayo.
Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat, posting 144/6 in 20 overs. Zimbabwe responded with a calculated chase, reaching 145/6 on the final ball of the match. Skipper Sikandar Raza hailed the victory as a critical confidence booster for the team.
“Zimbabwe needed that victory. We needed it for the changing room and for the fans to start believing. A win like that basically will tell us where we went wrong. Sometimes, the result is not in our control, but we have agreed to give it everything we have for the nation,” Raza said.
The captain also praised young Tashinga Musekiwa, who scored the winning runs with remarkable composure. Zimbabwe needed 11 runs from the last over, and Musekiwa delivered, finishing the game with a single off the final delivery.
“We spent a lot of time identifying he (Musekiwa) could be a finisher. It will do him a world of good and hopefully he starts believing in his ability as much as we do. I couldn't be happier or prouder,” Raza added.
“We were 15-17 runs short. Nabi and Karim played really well in the middle, but we gave away too many wickets early on. In T20s, it's hard to come back from that. We could have bowled better,” said Khan.
Despite these setbacks, he commended Mohammad Nabi's efforts, noting the crucial wicket he took to bring Afghanistan back into the game temporarily.
Zimbabwe's bowling attack set the tone early. Richard Ngarava struck on the third ball of the match, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck. Ngarava finished with figures of 3/28 in his four overs. Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu, and Wellington Masakadza chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Afghanistan's innings was bolstered by a 79-run sixth-wicket partnership between Karim Janat (54* runs) and Mohammad Nabi (44 runs off 27 balls), rescuing them from a precarious 58/5.
Zimbabwe's chase was anchored by a second-wicket stand of 75 runs between Dion Myers (32 runs off 29 balls) and Brian Bennett, who narrowly missed his fourth T20I half-century with 49 runs. Musekiwa's finishing heroics ensured a dramatic victory for the hosts.
With the victory, Zimbabwe leads the three-match series 1-0. The second T20I is scheduled for tomorrow at the same venue, starting at 1:30 PM local time. The Chevrons will look to carry their momentum forward and clinch the series.
Source - the herald
