ZIM vs AFG | Noor Ahmad picks four on debut as Afghanistan wipe the floor with Zimbabwe

The 3rd and final T20I fixture between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe ended with the visitors securing a 35-run victory at Harare Sports Club. 

Mohammad Nabi opted to bat first and follow the same template as the earlier games to win the game. They made four changes from the XI of the 2nd T20I and included Afsar Zazai, Ihsanullah Zadran, Noor Ahmad, and Sharafuddin Ashraf. 

It was a fine start provided by Hazratullah Zazai (12) and Ihsanullah (20), with the latter scoring consistent boundaries. Although the Afghanistan team posted around 50 in the powerplay overs, they could not continue the momentum. 

The wicket-keeper Afsar delivered a knock of 24 off 24 balls, while Najibullah Zadran and Ashraf were dismissed on a single-digit score. The sensible knock of 31 off 30 from captain Nabi in the final overs helped the team post a respectable total of 125 on the board. Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl picked up two wickets each for the home team. 

In reply, the Zimbabwe openers Innocent Kaia (12) and Wesley Madhevere (12) hit a couple of boundaries but soon made their way back to the pavilion. 

After the powerplay overs, the debutants Noor Ahmad and Sharafuddin Ashraf helped Afghanistan take control of the game. However, the key batters, Craig Ervine (1) and Sikandar Raza (0) were dismissed by Noor and Sharafuddin, respectively. 

Ryan Burl (15) and Ainsley Ndlovu (13) lessened the run deficit, as Zimbabwe could score 90 and lost by 35 runs. Noor finished with figures of 4/10 in four overs, while Sharafuddin took two wickets. 

The Afghanistan team completed the T20I series whitewash for the second time in a row, as they also secured a 3-0 victory in the last bilateral series in March 2021. 

Brief Scores: 

Afghanistan - 125/8 (20)

Mohammad Nabi 31 (30), Afsar Zazai 24(24);

Sikandar Raza 2/18, Ryan Burl 2/22

Zimbabwe - 90/9 (20)

Ryan Burl 15 (24), Wesley Madhevere 14 (14); 

Noor Ahmad 4/10

Match Result: Afghanistan won by 35 runs.