Sports Correspondent
SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates — Zimbabwe suffered a seven-wicket defeat to Afghanistan in the final of the One-Day International (ODI) tri-series on Friday after the Asian side chased down a modest target of 170 runs at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Afghanistan reached 170 for three in 34.3 overs, completing the chase with 15.3 overs to spare and securing the title after an unbeaten run in the tournament.
Ibrahim Zadran anchored the innings with an unbeaten 70 off 96 balls, while captain Rahmat Shah contributed 43 runs and opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 36 to guide Afghanistan to victory.
Zimbabwe, who won the toss and elected to bat, struggled against Afghanistan’s bowling attack and were dismissed for 169 in 43.3 overs.
Captain Sikandar Raza top-scored for Zimbabwe with 68 runs off 83 deliveries, providing much-needed resistance after the team lost early wickets. Ryan Burl added 31 runs as the pair put together a 60-run partnership for the fifth wicket, helping Zimbabwe recover from 55 for four.
However, Afghanistan’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings, restricting Zimbabwe to a total that proved insufficient to challenge their opponents.
Leg-spinner Rashid Khan led the attack with three wickets for 41 runs, while Mohammad Nabi, Bilal Sami and Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed two wickets each. Azmatullah Omarzai took the remaining wicket.
Afghanistan made a confident start to the chase, with Gurbaz and Zadran putting on 68 runs for the opening wicket. Gurbaz struck four boundaries and two sixes before being dismissed for 36 off 31 balls by Newman Nyamhuri.
After Sediqullah Atal fell for six, Zadran and Rahmat Shah built an 82-run partnership for the third wicket to take Afghanistan within reach of victory.
Rahmat was eventually dismissed for 43, but Hashmatullah Shahidi sealed the win with a boundary.
Zadran was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten half-century, while Rashid Khan took the Player of the Series award after claiming 11 wickets across Afghanistan’s three matches.
The final also marked a significant milestone for Rashid, who made his 250th international appearance for Afghanistan. Nabi reached another career landmark by claiming his 300th international wicket during the match.
Afghanistan’s triumph capped an impressive campaign in which they defeated Zimbabwe twice and Bangladesh once to finish the competition unbeaten.
For Zimbabwe, the defeat will provide lessons as the team turns its attention to the next assignment against the same opponents.
The two sides are scheduled to begin a Twenty20 International series on Tuesday, October 27, offering Zimbabwe an opportunity to respond after the ODI final loss.
