Afghanistan completed a 3-0 sweep of Zimbabwe in their T20 international series after beating them by seven wickets in the third and final match in Sharjah on Sunday. Left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad led the bowling effort with his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 internationals, taking 5 for 13 in 3.3 overs as Zimbabwe were bowled out for just 79 in 14.3 overs.
Zimbabwe collapsed from a promising position, losing their middle and lower order to Noor’s spin after early breakthroughs from Fazalhaq Farooqi, Azmatullah Omarzai and debutant Abdullah Tarakhail. Ryan Burl top-scored with 30 for Zimbabwe. Afghanistan then chased down the modest target of 80 in just 8.1 overs, losing three wickets, with Ibrahim Zadran unbeaten on 25.
The victory was Afghanistan’s second-biggest T20 international win in terms of balls remaining and their 22nd win in 24 T20 internationals against Zimbabwe. Afghanistan had already secured the series after winning the first two matches. The two teams will now turn their attention to the longer format, with a two-match Test series scheduled to begin on 5 November.
Sources: The Times of India, Cricbuzz, Geo Super. Written in our own words for information only.