Afghanistan officially punched their ticket to the upcoming tri-series final following a comprehensive 158-run demolition of Zimbabwe at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday, October 19. The resounding result, underpinned by Sediqullah Atal’s maiden century and a devastating four-wicket haul from Rashid Khan, pushed Afghanistan’s net run rate to a formidable +3.160. This leaves both Zimbabwe and Bangladesh to battle for the remaining qualification spot.
The Opening Surge
Choosing to bat first, the Afghan openers established early dominance, racing to a 50-run partnership within seven overs. Despite Rahmanullah Gurbaz falling after chopping onto his stumps, Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal maintained the pressure. The pair constructed a measured century-plus stand, with both batters reaching their respective half-centuries. While Brad Evans managed to break the partnership in the 32nd over by dismissing Zadran for a well-played 90, the momentum largely remained with the batting side. Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai suffered brief stints at the crease, but a productive 42-run collaboration between Atal and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi ensured the team stayed on course for a high total. With a boundary after 78 deliveries, taking Zimbabwe to 100 in the 30th over, there was a brief recovery through a 64-run stand between Ryan Burl and Sikandar Raza.
Reaching the Milestone and Setting the Target
Atal successfully reached his third ODI century during the 44th over, only to be dismissed by a run-out shortly thereafter. In the closing stages, Afghanistan displayed an aggressive intent, finding five boundaries across the final four overs, even as they lost a flurry of wickets. The innings concluded at 294 all-out after 50 overs, a score that proved significantly more than enough to defend. Brad Evans and Ernest Masuku were the standout bowlers for Zimbabwe, each claiming three wickets.
Zimbabwe’s Batting Collapse
Chasing 295 for a win, Zimbabwe held a specific target of 196 to secure their own path to the Friday, October 23 final. Their chase disintegrated almost immediately. Fazalhaq Farooqi provided the opening breakthrough with a sharp inswinger to remove Ben Curran, later adding the scalp of Tafadzwa Tsiga. By the 13th over, after Brian Bennett was ruled LBW by AM Ghazanfar, the scoreboard read 43 for 4, signaling an end to any realistic hopes of challenging the total. Once Bennett was trapped LBW by AM Ghazanfar in the 13th over, Zimbabwe were left reeling at 43 for 4, possibly abandoning their 295-run target and consigning themselves to reach 196 instead.
Rashid Khan Dominates
- A temporary resistance emerged through a 64-run partnership between Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl, taking the score to 100 in the 30th over.
- Rashid Khan dismantled this momentum two overs later, trapping Burl leg-before-wicket to stifle the recovery.
- The leg-spinner continued his onslaught, picking up wickets in successive overs and cleaning up Raza in the 36th.
- The innings effectively crumbled from there, ending when Wellington Masakadza was run-out in the 39th over, finalizing a total of 136.
Match Summary
Afghanistan 294 all-out in 50 overs (Sediqullah Atal 102, Ibrahim Zadran 90; Brad Evans 3-48, Ernest Masuku 3-44) defeated Zimbabwe 136 all-out in 38.4 overs (Sikandar Raza 48, Ryan Burl 31; Rashid Khan 4-17, Fazalhaq Farooqi 2-15) by 158 runs. Instead, they ended up getting bundled out for just 136.
