Afghanistan go 2 up in ODI series against Zimbabwe

KABUL went up 2-0 in the five-match series as they trounced Zimbabwe by 54 runs in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Harare, a media report said on Monday.

Afghanistan won the toss and decided to bat, setting the hosts a target of 239 runs in the stipulated 50 overs. Opener Mohammad Shahzad hit 64 off 87 balls and Najibullah 43 of 47 deliveries to helped the visitors to post a competitive total.

Rahmat Shah’s 53 and Mohammabd Nabi’s 33 also helped the visitors batting side.

In response, Zimbabwean openers took an aggressive start but lost their way later on, as spinners once again helped the national side by grabbing six important wickets.

Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan each took three wickets and played an important role in yesterday’s victory against the full member. SF Mire and Ervine were Zimbabwe’s main scorers with 54 and 37 runs respectively.

Afghanistan are now just one win away from clinching the series. A series win would help Afghanistan nudge the world cricketing body into giving them long-awaited full-membership or status of a test-playing nation.

nh/mud