Masakadza was named Man of the Match for his crucial innings of 83
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Zimbabwe reduced the deficit in their ongoing ODI series against Afghanistan to 2-1 after they routed the latter by 117 runs in the third ODI in Sharjah.
Zimbabwe batsman Hamilton Masakadza and leg-spinner Graeme Cremer both made half-centuries, while Luke Jongwe claimed a five-wicket haul as Afghanistan were bowled out for their lowest ODI score in history.
Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura would have been regretting his decision to bat first initially as his side were reduced to 49/7 in the 19th over.
Masakadza and Cremer steered the innings back into the right direction with a vital 105-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, before Cremer was dismissed by Mirwais Ashraf.
Cremer’s career-best knock of 58 came off 75 balls and included three boundaries and three sixes.
Cremer scored his maiden ODI fifty
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Masakadza ended up making 83 off 138 deliveries, which included six boundaries and three sixes, as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 175.
Ashraf was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Amir Hamza and Dawlat Zadran snapped up two wickets apiece and Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan chipped in with one wicket each.
Chasing 176 to win, Afghanistan faltered right from the get-go as they lost their top order before Jongwe ripped through their middle and lower order.
Wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad was Afghanistan’s top-scorer with 31 runs, while the rest of the batsmen failed to reach double figures as the hosts were skittled out for 58.
Jongwe was the most successful bowler with five wickets, while Neville Madziva took three and Tendai Chisoro claimed two.
Jongwe finished with career-best figures of 5-6 off 5.1 overs
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Masakadza was named Man of the Match.