Afghanistan celebrate their historic series win

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Afghanistan etched their name in the record books after they crushed Zimbabwe by 73 runs in the fifth and final ODI in Bulawayo.

The victory sees Afghanistan become the first non-Test-playing nation to win a multi-game bilateral ODI series against a Test-playing country.

Noor Ali Zadran and Mohammad Nabi starred with the bat for Afghanistan as they scored 54 and 53 respectively, while Dawlat Zadran excelled with the ball as he took four wickets.

However, Zimbabwe all-rounder Sean Williams deserves a lot of credit for his valiant knock of 102.

Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura would have been pleased with his decision to bowl first early on as Wellington Masakadza dismissed opener Mohammad Shahzad for 26.

However, Noor Ali Zadran and Nabi took over from that point as they amassed a 97-run partnership, during which Zadran brought up his half-century, before he was clean bowled by Sikandar Raza for 54 off 88 balls, which included five boundaries.

Nabi did not last much longer as he was caught by Chamu Chibhabha at point off the bowling of Raza for 53 off 70 deliveries, which included three boundaries.

Zadran (left) and Nabi both made half-centuries

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Following Nabi’s dismissal, Afghanistan began to collapse, which ultimately saw them restricted to 245/9 off their 50 overs.

Masakadza and Raza picked up three wickets apiece, while Luke Jongwe and Tinashe Panyangara chipped in with one wicket each.

Chasing 246 to win, none of Zimbabwe’s batsmen, with the exception of Williams were able to have a major impact.

Williams scored a career-best 102 off 124 balls, which included three boundaries and four sixes. But, he received no support from the rest of his team-mates as none of them were able to surpass the 20-run mark. As a result, Zimbabwe were bundled out for 172.

Williams raises his bat after scoring his maiden ODI century

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Dawlat Zadran inflicted the most damage as he took four wickets, while Amir Hamza snapped up three, Rashid Khan got two and Mirwais Ashraf claimed one.