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ZIM vs AFG 3rd T20I Highlights: Omarzai Inspired Afghanistan Conquers Zimbabwe In Final Over Thriller To Earn Series Victory 

Arnav Chopra

Azmatullah Omarzai (Source: @ZimCricketv/X.com)Azmatullah Omarzai (Source: @ZimCricketv/X.com)

Afghanistan, led by superstar Rashid Khan, overpowered the Zimbabwe team by three wickets in the last-over thriller at Harare as Mohammed Nabi finished the job for his side with the bat. Azmatullah Omarzai played an extremely crucial role with both ball and bat, picking two wickets and scoring 34 runs, respectively.

Here’s the timeline of how ZIM vs AFG panned out in Harare:

ZIM vs AFG Highlights: Brian Bennett Turns Out To Be The Lone Warrior For Zimbabwe As Wickets Kept Tumbling

Losing Tadiwanashe Marumani early in the first over, his opening partner Brian Bennett decided to stay on the crease longer as he tried forging a partnership. However, he needed more support from the other end, as Dion Myers and Wessly Madhevere failed to convert their start into a big score.

Even Brian, who was holding the fort, fell for 31 from 24 balls, adding to Zimbabwe's woes. The home side was 57 for the loss of three wickets at 8.1 overs, struggling to find answers to Afghanistan's bowlers' tough questions.

ZIM vs AFG Highlights: Magician Rashid Khan's Four-fer Ends Zimbabwe's Innings On 127

After Bennett departed, skipper Sikandar Raza, who is generally the saviour for Zimbabwe on most occasions, failed miserably as the Chevrons surrendered to the spin duo of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, picking four and two wickets, respectively.

The Zimbabwe lower order were no match to the class of spin sensation and Afghanistan skipper Rashid, who easily dismissed the lower order, finishing with the figures of 4/27 in his four overs.

This spin masterclass resulted in Zimbabwe getting bowled out for a below-par total of 127 inside their full quota of 20 overs with one ball remaining.


ZIM vs AFG Highlights: Zimbabwe Pacers Make Afghanistan Top-Order Pay

The uneven bounce in the pitch played in the favour of the home side, with pacers finding opportunities early on in the innings. The top four returned back to the pavilion without much contribution, as they were reduced to 44 for 4.

On one occasion, Rahmanullah Gurbaz was done by a Trevor Gwandu delivery that kept low and hit him straight on the pads. The difficulty in batting made the match more interesting as both sides kept fighting. Blessing Muzarabani, in particular, proved challenging to get away, as he bagged two to his name.


ZIM vs AFG Highlights: Calm & Composed Nabi Takes Afghanistan To A Series Win In The Final Over

After an excellent bowling spell from the pacers in the first half, Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib stitched together a 48-run partnership for the fifth wicket before the latter departed to off-spin of the skipper Sikandar Raza.

Omarzai tried his level best and gave his everything, but eventually lost out on his wicket after playing an unnecessary shot. Six balls later, Rashid came and did the same, putting Afghanistan in a lot of trouble.

However, Mohammed Nabi played a crucial part in the end, scoring 24 off just 18 balls, taking the visitors to a series-earning victory by 2-1 with just three balls and three wickets to spare.