Nabi shines as Afghanistan level ODI series

KABUL on Sunday defeated Zimbabwe by a huge margin of 58 runs, leveling the series 1-1, thanks to Mohammad Nabi’s heroic 116 runs.

After their tepid display in the previous match, Afghan skipper Asghar Stanikzai once again decided to bat first after winning the toss despite the overcast conditions this morning.

With his fearless hitting and some big strokes, Nabi raise to his century at close to a run a ball backed up by Noor Ali Zadran's patient 60.

Afghanistan Cricket Board spokesman Farid Hotak told Pajhwok Afghan News the national side set Zimbabwe 272 runs target after losing six wickets. Stanikzai contributed 39 runs.

He said the Zimbabwe batsmen could not stay on the crease and their chase stumbled as Afghanistan's spinners, including the 17-year-old debutant Rashid Khan, strangled the middle order. The entire Zimbabwe team collapsed for 213 runs.

Dawlat Zadran and Aftab Alam, who cleverly used reverse swing, grabbed two wickets each. Samiullah Shinwari also took two wickets and Nabi, Amir Hamza Hotak and Rashid Arman shared one each.

Nabi was the man of the match. It was Afghanistan second victory against a Test-playing nation. Earlier, Afghanistan had defeated Bangladesh.

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