Shahzad steers Afghans to second win over Zimbabwe

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Shahzad steers Afghans to second win over Zimbabwe
Afghanistan's Rokhan Barakzai tries to take a catch during the second ODI match against Zimbabwe at the Sharjah Stadium late on Tuesday. - Photo by M. Sajjad

Sharjah - Shahzad (131 not out, 133 balls, seven 4s, eight 6s) ensured Afghanistan chased down 254 to win with 14 balls to spare and four wickets in the bank, although they did show nerves at the business end of the chase.

By KT Report

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Published: Thu 31 Dec 2015, 9:11 PM

Last updated: Fri 1 Jan 2016, 12:47 PM

Former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq seems to have made a positive influence on the impulsive Afghanistan batsmen, who, particularly centurion Mohammad Shahzad, showed far more maturity for their second successive ODI victory against the higher-ranked Zimbabwe at the historic Sharjah Stadium late on Tuesday night.
Shahzad (131 not out, 133 balls, seven 4s, eight 6s) ensured Afghanistan chased down 254 to win with 14 balls to spare and four wickets in the bank, although they did show nerves at the business end of the chase.
Opting to bat first, Zimbabwe had two solid partnerships at the top to set up a platform for a big score but the later order batsmen failed to consolidate for a much bigger total.
Openers Peter Moor (50, 51 balls, five 4s and three 6s) and Richmond Mutumbami (21) gave the visitors a solid start with a partnership of 71. Then Hamilton Masakadza (47, 64 balls, four 4s) and Craig Ervine (73, 98 balls, seven 4s, one 6) added 98 for the third wicket.
But Dawlat Zadran (three), Mohammad Nabi (2) and debutant Rokhan Barakzai (2) struck vital blows to choke the flow of runs.
However, Zimbabwe's tail wagged a little bit with the last pair -- Luke Jongwe and Graeme Cremer using the long handle as Zimbabwe scored 44 runs in the last five overs to post 253.
Afghanistan started their reply steadily and added 82 runs for the opening wicket in 17.5 overs but two quick wickets jolted them. From 169 for one Afghanistan lost quick wickets to be reduced to 198 for 6.
Shahzad, however, was holding one end and that made the difference in the end.
His seven fours and eight sixes is the most by a batsman from an Associate nation in ODIs.

Shahzad. — AFP file
Shahzad. — AFP file

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