Hamilton Masakadza guided Zimbabwe to victory in his last international match

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza ended his international career in style as he smashed a 42-ball 71 to lead his side to a seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in Chattogram.

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan got off to a superb start as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai amassed an 83-run partnership before Zazai was dismissed by Tinotenda Mutombodzi for 31.

Shafiqullah was trapped lbw off the bowling of Chris Mpofu shortly after, while Gurbaz struck a career-best 61, which came off 47 balls and included four boundaries and four sixes, before he was clean bowled by Sean Williams.

Once Gurbaz was gone, Afghanistan lost wickets in a hurry as they went from being 116/3 in the 14th over to eventually finishing on 155/8.

Mpofu was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Mutombodzi snapped up two, and Williams and Kyle Jarvis chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Chasing 156 to win, Zimbabwe got off to a solid start as Brendan Taylor and Masakadza forged a 40-run partnership before Taylor was removed by Mujeeb Ur Rahman for 19.

Masakadza and Regis Chakabva added 70 runs to the score before Masakadza was caught by Mohammad Nabi at long-on off the bowling of Dawlat Zadran for 71, which came off 42 deliveries and included four boundaries and five sixes.

Despite Chakabva being dismissed by Mujeeb for 39, Williams guided Zimbabwe to victory with his unbeaten knock of 21.

Mujeeb was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Dawlat claimed one.

Mpofu was named Man of the Match.