Afghanistan He put in a superb performance to level the T20I series 1-1 against Zimbabwe With a 50-run win in Harare on Friday (December 13). Led by spirited batting recovery and disciplined bowling Rashid Khan and Navin-ul-HaqIt sealed Afghanistan’s victory.
Attack of Afghanistan led by Darvish Rasooli
Asked to bat first, Afghanistan stumbled early, lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal and Zubayd Akbari within the powerplay, struggling them at 33/3. However, Dervish Messenger 58 off 42 balls, his maiden T20I fifty anchored the innings with a responsible knock. Rasooli found support Azmatullah OmarzaiWho fast contribution 28, and Gulbadin Naibhis quickfire 26* lifted Afghanistan to a competitive total of 153/6. Especially Zimbabwean bowlers Trevor Gwandu and Ryan Burlimpressed early but failed to hold down the middle and lower order, allowing Afghanistan to gain momentum late on.
Also READ: ZIM vs AFG 2024: Date, Match Time, Broadcast and Live Stream Details
Zimbabwe’s chase against Rashid Khan and Naveen-ul-Haq
In reply, Zimbabwe’s chase fizzled early as Naveen struck in the powerplay and was dismissed. We found Marumani. Mujib Ur Rahman and Rashid then dismantled Zimbabwe’s order with clinical spells.
Brian Bennett (27) and Sikandar Raza (35) offered some resistance, Raza played aggressively to keep Zimbabwe’s hopes alive. However, Naveen dismissed Raza and saw Zimbabwe reach 103 in 17.4 overs. Rashid claimed three wickets while Naveen and Mujeeb added three and two wickets respectively to cap off a superb bowling display.
Afghanistan bowlers executed their plan perfectly with contribution from all members. Rashid’s leadership and Naveen’s sharp opening spell were instrumental in dismantling Zimbabwe on a tough two-pace surface. With the series now level, both teams will be looking to give it their all in the decider. Afghanistan have shown resilience and the ability to thrive under pressure, while Zimbabwe will look to overcome their batting weaknesses to bounce back in the final match.
Here’s Twitter’s reaction:
Another very poor batting performance #Zimbabwe. Our batting is our Achilles heel and will remain so unless we pick up some of our best batsmen and retain players who have been disappointed for a while.
Our selection policy in terms of pure cricket… https://t.co/WS45F8lBFn
— David Coltart (@DavidColtart) December 13, 2024
Naveenulhaq is also the leading wicket taker @ACBofficials He has been the highest wicket-taker in the T20 format in 2024 (T20I) as well as
, taking 76 wickets in his 60 matches so far.#AFGvZIM #ZIMvAFG pic.twitter.com/mj3k5mr6Ot
— Bashir Gharwal Gharwal (@bashir_gharwall) December 13, 2024
RESULT | AFGHANISTAN GOT 50 RUNS
Naveen Ul Haq (3/19), Rashid Khan (3/20) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/30) put in a superb bowling effort to help. #AfghanAtalan Defeated Zimbabwe by 50 runs to level the three-match T20I series 1-1.
#ZIMvAFG |… pic.twitter.com/dMnHwSAmIk
– Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) December 13, 2024
Burl was the best bowler today and didn’t get his full quota of poor captaincy and field placement in the last 5-6 overs giving away too many runs, Zim lost here. Raza may be the best all-rounder but he is a poor captain.#ZIMvAFG
— Lallu G Sharma (@lg_sharma) December 13, 2024
Afghanistan won the 2nd T20I by 50 runs. Career Best Highest Individual T20I Score 58(42) for D Rasooli. Fantastic spell Naveen ul haq 3/19 and Rashid Khan 3/20.#ZIMvAFG @ACBofficials @rashidkhan_19
— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) December 13, 2024
After a disappointing bowling effort in defeat in the 1st T20, Afghanistan bounce back in the most emphatic way, beating Zimbabwe by 50 runs in the 2nd T20I. #ZIMvsAFG
— Ambika (@apmahapatra) December 13, 2024
A disappointing performance from the boys, especially the best. We are not losing hope, we are level, let’s do our job tomorrow, I still feel we can win this series
Come on Chevron
Come on Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/NE37PeGNyN— Freddy Michael Masarirevu (@freddyMM93) December 13, 2024
Ryan Burl must be replaced.
— Adam Theo
(@AdamTheofilatos) December 13, 2024
Afghanistan ties the series 1-1!
They beat Zimbabwe by 50 runs in the 2nd T20I.
Sikandar Raza made 35 for Zimbabwe and 103 in reply to Afghanistan’s 153.
Rashid Khan (3/20), Naveen ul Haq (3/19) and Mujeeb (2/30) starred for Afghanistan.#AFGvZIM pic.twitter.com/OGZfXuyAFo
– Muhammad Areeb Uddin Sheikh. #AreebCricketWorld (@areeb_7official) December 13, 2024
Great performance from Afghanistan!
Naveen-ul-Haq (3/19), Rashid Khan (3/20) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2/30) step up with a brilliant bowling display. #AfghanAtalan to a 50-run win over Zimbabwe.Chasing 154, Zimbabwe were bundled out for just 103 to level the series… https://t.co/8MG6SyZgxv
— Abidullah Hidayat (@DrAbidullahH) December 13, 2024
