Naib was named Man of the Match for his all-round performance

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Following a thrilling conclusion to the ODI series, Afghanistan were involved in another nail-biter as they skirted past Zimbabwe by five runs in the first Twenty20 International in Sharjah.

Afghanistan captain Asghar Stanikzai would have been pleased with his decision to bat first early on as wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad and Usman Ghani amassed a 63-run partnership before Shahzad was clean bowled by Graeme Cremer for 33.

Stanikzai would have been frustrated not to contribute with the bat as he was dismissed for eight. Following his dismissal, Afghanistan’s innings began to go off the rails as they lost wickets in a hurry, including that of Ghani, who ended up making 42 off 38 balls, which included five boundaries and a six.

However, thanks to Gulbadin Naib’s quickfire 37 and Mohammad Nabi’s rapid 20, Afghanistan managed to score 187/7 off their 20 overs.

Cremer was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Tendai Chisoro, Luke Jongwe and Sikandar Raza chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Chasing 188 to win, Zimbabwe struggled to keep up with the required run rate as they lost wickets at regular intervals. With the tourists reduced to 95/4 in the 12th over, Malcolm Waller and Raza amassed a crucial 56-run partnership before Raza was stumped by Shahzad off the bowling of Amir Hamza for 19.

Once Raza departed, Zimbabwe’s collapse resumed and despite Waller and Jongwe’s best efforts in the last over, in which Zimbabwe needed 21 runs to win, they were unable to lead their side across the finish line.

Waller ended up finishing on 49 not out, which came off 37 deliveries and included two boundaries and two sixes.

Dawlat Zadran was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Hamza, Naib and Nabi claimed one wicket each.

Naib was named Man of the Match.