Afghanistan completed a dominant 3-0 T20I series sweep against Zimbabwe following a commanding performance in the third and final match. After already securing the series win at 2-0, Afghanistan ensured a clean sweep by restricting Zimbabwe to a meager total of 79 all-out in 14.3 overs. Afghanistan, who’d already won the series 2-0, put in an emphatic effort to claim it 3-0.
Left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad spearheaded the demolition of the Zimbabwean lineup. Delivering 3.3 overs, Noor claimed 5 wickets for just 13 runs while bowling 11 dot balls. His clinical spell dismantled the middle and lower order, as Zimbabwe collapsed from 56/4 to 79 all-out in a span of only 4.4 overs. His victims included Wesley Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Newman Nyamhuri, and Ernest Masuku.
The collapse was set in motion early by Afghanistan’s pace battery. Azmatullah Omarzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Abdullah Tarakhail combined to reduce Zimbabwe to 13/3 within the fourth over. Although Ryan Burl, who top-scored with 30, and Madhevere attempted a recovery, Abdullah Omarzai dismissed Burl in the 10th over to stifle the momentum.
In response, Afghanistan chased down the target of 80 with seven wickets and 11.5 overs to spare. Despite losing three wickets during the Powerplay, the side comfortably crossed the line in 8.1 overs. Opener Ibrahim Zadran anchored the chase with 25 runs off 17 balls, while Azmatullah Omarzai remained unbeaten on 18 to guide the team to victory. The match ended with a comprehensive seven-wicket win for Afghanistan. Afghanistan lost three wickets in chase but it took them just 8.1 overs to get past Zimbabwe’s lowly total. But Afghanistan coasted through to wipe out the target inside nine overs with opener Ibrahim Zadran getting 25 off 17, and Azmatullah remaining unbeaten on 18 to see the, zimbabwe picked a couple of Powerplay wickets too.
