Afghanistan secured an eight-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the third ODI at Harare Sports Club, clinching the series 2-0. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi praised the team’s performance and emphasized that each player understands their role. AM Ghazanfar starred with a five-wicket haul, while Sediqullah Atal contributed a half-century. The team looks forward to building on this momentum in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Following Afghanistan’s impressive victory over Zimbabwe in the third One Day International (ODI), captain Hashmatullah Shahidi emphasized the unity and accountability within the team. With a remarkable five-wicket haul from AM Ghazanfar and a solid half-century from Sediqullah Atal, Afghanistan secured an eight-wicket win at Harare Sports Club, thereby clinching the three-match series with a 2-0 lead. The first match had ended without a result due to persistent rain.
During the post-match presentation, Captain Shahidi expressed his satisfaction with the team’s overall performance in bowling, batting, and fielding. He commended Ghazanfar for his outstanding performance, noting, “I am very happy with the way the team performed in all three departments. Everyone takes responsibility, and everyone knows their role,” highlighting both the contributions of experienced players and emerging talents.
Shahidi remarked positively on the performances of Atal and Abdul Malik, who he referred to as having had a “fantastic” series. He expressed optimism regarding their ability to maintain form in the upcoming Champions Trophy. He stated, “The good thing is that we have senior guys in the team with the youngsters doing good; it is a balanced combination.”
In the match recap, Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl first, leading to Zimbabwe being bowled out for just 127 runs. Sean Williams was the standout performer for the hosts, scoring 60 runs. Ghazanfar was pivotal in restricting Zimbabwe’s innings with his five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5 for 33.
During the run chase, Atal’s 52 and Malik’s contributions made the task straightforward for the Afghan middle order. Eventually, Shahidi and Rahmat Shah ensured the victory, remaining unbeaten as Afghanistan completed an eight-wicket win. Zimbabwe’s bowling attack struggled throughout the match, with only a couple of bowlers able to take wickets, marking a rather disappointing outing for the team.
The Afghanistan national cricket team has made significant strides in ODI cricket, showcasing growth and improvement over recent years. Their victory over Zimbabwe is indicative of their evolving competitive edge in international matches. Hashmatullah Shahidi, leading the team, emphasized the importance of role clarity and teamwork in securing this win, which also serves as a crucial confidence boost ahead of major upcoming tournaments, including the Champions Trophy.
Afghanistan’s decisive win over Zimbabwe underscores the effectiveness of teamwork, as articulated by captain Hashmatullah Shahidi. With contributions from both seasoned players and emerging talent such as AM Ghazanfar, the team is well-positioned for future challenges. Their performance in the ongoing ODI series reflects a strong foundation that could lead to success in the forthcoming Champions Trophy.
Original Source: thenewsmill.com
