OBHAI T20 Tri Nation Series
Fifth Match played at ZAC Chottogram on 20 September 2019
Zimbabwe Vs Afghanistan
Brief Scorecard
Zimbabwe 156/3 (Hamilton Maskadza71 ,Regis Chakava 39, SC Williams 21, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/28) beat Afghanistan 155/8( Rahmatullah Gurbaz 61. Hafizullah Zazai 31, CM Mpofu 4/ 30) by 7 wickets
Player of the Match: Hamilton Masakadza
Breaking the jinx in T20 international against Afghanistan after 8 losses over the 8 past appearances Zimbabwe grounded high flying superior opponents crushing them to 7 wickets defeat. This was a fitting farewell to their long serving quality batsman Hamilton Maskadza. In his last appearance in international cricket he played a match winning explosive innings of 71 in 42 deliveries. Zimbabwe won by 7 wickets with 3 balls to spare scoring 156/3 chasing a modest total score of 155/8. The other special feature of the match was brilliant bowling (4/30) CB Mpofu. The outcome of match apart from breaking the winning momentum of Afghanistan was of little significance as they already set a date with the host for the final at SBNCS on September 24.
There will be a dress rehearsal of the final today. The sparing mate of Bangladesh showed the winning formula against Afghanistan. Bangladesh can take great heart from it. This huge defeat spoiled the 21st birthday first of Afghan captain Rashid Khan. Masakadza was a regular feature in Bangladesh cricket for several years .He was given hearty send off a standing ovation by week end as he walked off for the last time with a match winning performance.
Afghans had the opportunity for testing their bench strength bringing 3 changes for match. Shafiqullah, Farzai Nazai and Dawlat Zadran were brought in. Winning the toss and electing to bat Afghans were given a rollicking start by two young openers Rahmatullah Gurbaz and Hafizullah Zazai. They put on 83 quick runs by the 10th over. Off course many mishits landed tantalizingly close to chasing fielders. Afghans appeared in a hurry. The discipline which has the essence of their cricket so far was however missing. Zimbabwe appeared on a mission. Once the opening partnership was broken Zimbabwean bowlers restricted one dimension Afghanistan to 155/8 very much a chase able score. 5 of the Afghan batsmen including Mohammad Nabi, Nazibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan and Asghar Afghan could not even reach double figures. CB Mpofu grabbed 4/30 and CT Mutombodzi took 2/18. Gurbaz scored 61 and Zazai 31.
Hamilton Masakdaza entered the arena for the last time with his mate BRM Taylor on a mission. 8 times the two teams met in T20 international and every time Afghans beat them. Masakadza batted like a champion blasting Afghan attack all over the park. Taylor styed with him till the 5th over. By that time 40 runs were scored. Regis Chakava joined his captain on a killing mood. 70 match winning runs were added in the second wicket partnership, By the time Masakadza got out trying to blast Dawlat Zadran for his 10thboundary he scored 71 with 4 fours and 5 hefty blows across and over the fence. Chakava scored 39. Nabi and Rashid Khan could not cause any inroads on the day. Only Mujib taking 2/ 28 was true to his element. It was great that Zimbabwe had something to cheer about. They will miss Masakadza a great ambassador of their cricket and a popular player in Bangladesh. He will be remembered. Hope he would continue entreating Bangladesh fans in BPL.
Usually in such a tournament momentum matters. Bangladesh at least could see some chink in the arms of strong Afghans .It is to bee seen whether Bangladesh can work out a winning formula. On the other hand the loss would serve a wake up call for the Afghans.
BDST: 1007 HRS, SEP 21, 2019
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