Afghanistan celebrate yet another historic win

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Afghanistan achieved even more history as they won their first Twenty20 series against a Full Member nation when they defeated Zimbabwe by five wickets in Bulawayo.

Afghanistan opener Usman Ghani and batsman Gulbadin Naib were the heroes of the match as they scored a career-best 65 and 56 not out respectively.

However, Zimbabwe all-rounder Sean Williams deserves a lot of credit for his valiant innings of 54.

Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura would have been mulling over his decision to bat first as Williams and wicketkeeper Richmond Mutumbami were the only two batsmen to make major contributions.

Williams smashed 54 off 26 balls, which included eight boundaries and two sixes, while Mutumbami hammered 43 off 33 deliveries, which included one boundary and two sixes.

It was thanks to them that Zimbabwe managed to finish on 190/7 off their 20 overs.

Naib, Dawlat Zadran and Amir Hamza picked up two wickets apiece, while Rashid Khan chipped in with one.

Chasing 191 to win, Afghanistan got off to a blistering start as Ghani and Mohammad Shahzad amassed a 95-run partnership, during which Ghani brought up his half-century, before he was caught by Neville Madziva at long-off off the bowling of Chamu Chibhabha.

Ghani’s superb innings of 65 came off 45 balls and included six boundaries and three sixes.

Afghanistan began to lose wickets at regular intervals after Ghani’s dimissal, but Naib stood strong and led his side to victory with his spectacular knock of 56, which came off 31 deliveries and included seven boundaries.

Chibhabha was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Taurai Muzarabani claimed one.