OBHAI Tri Nation T20 Series Match Two

Afghanistan Vs Zimbabwe played at SBNCS, Dhaka 

Brief Score Card:

Afghanistan 197/5 (Nazibullah Zadran 69* Rahmatullah Gurbaz 43, Mohammad Nabi 38, SC Williams 2/16, TL Chattara 2/53) beat Zimbabwe 169/7 (RK Chakava 42*, BRM Taylor 27, RP Burl 25, Rashid Khan 2/29, Fareed Ahmed 2/35 ) by 28 runs

All guns firing Afghans roared once again. Displaying wonderful brand of attacking cricket they outgunned Zimbabweans by 28 runs at SBNCS on Saturday.  Riding on blistering unbeaten 69 in 30 deliveries of Nazibullah Zadran and 38 in 18 of Nabi Afghans scored 197/5. Best of Zimbabweans in response could go as far as 169/7 loosing the second match on the second day in succession in ongoing OBHAI T20 tri nation series. Afghans would meet the hosts today in what may turn out an epic contest. 

Star is in favor of Afghanistan and young Rashid Khan. What he and Afghans are touching is turning gold. Mind you Afghans have precious gemstones Lapez Lajuli, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire and many others) in plenty.  Having asked for batting first rookie Rahmatullah Gurbaz and Hasmatullah Zazai gave them rollicking start racing to 57 by the sixth over. But once Zazai was removed by Chattara top order was stalled for a while and crawled to 4/90 in the 14th over.  Nazibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi exploded. They savaged Zimbabwean attack scoring 107 runs in the last 46 deliveries. Scoring 197/5 Afghans virtually batted Zimbabweans out of the match serving strong signal to home team as well. 

Unlike the other day rain did not interfere and match was played for entire duration. Zimbabwe winning the toss put Afghans into bat. Bangladesh had seen Hasmatullah Zazai in BPL already but a brand new 17 years kid Gurbaz bursting into international started playing like a matured pro outshining his vastly talented partner Zazai. In his 24 balls 43 he struck 5 boundaries and two over and across as the pair raced to 57 by the 7th over. A much subdued Zazai playing second fiddle got out scoring 13 in 14 deliveries. Nazib Takai and Asghar Afghan could not fully open wings against tight Zimbabwean bowling and enterprising fielding. Afghans were not looking good at 4/90 by the 14th over when experienced Nabi joined Nazibullah Zadran.  Chatara bowling so well at the start was taken apart. The pair rocketed to 197 adding 107 in the last 6.4 overs. Zadran struck 5 fours and 5 sixes in his 30 balls unbeaten 69 and Nabi scored 4 sixes in his 18 balls 30. 197/5 was well beyond Zimbabwe against very potent Afghan attack. This Afghans play fearless cricket, a hall mark for a great team in the making. 

Any way undaunted Zimbabwe did not throw the towel. But an unnecessary run out of skipper Masakdza early on hurt them. Zimbabwe played Mujib and Nabi well. But Rashid as usual and Fareed picking wickets at regular interval jolted the response. RW Chakabva coming at 7 counter-attacks scoring bright unbeaten 42 in 22 deliveries. But by then Afghans set target proved high on the sky to touch. Zimbabwe could reach as far as 169/7 still 28 runs less than what required.  Rashid took his customary 2/29, Fareed got 2/ 35. Nabi and Mujeeb remained wicket less. We hope Bangladesh batsmen had seen how to negate Mujeeb at the top.

Afghans are better placed than Bangladesh. They have ticked all green so far. Hope Bangladesh surviving Zimbabwe scare would make life difficult for Rashid Khan and co today.

BDST: 1256 HRS, SEP 15, 2019
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