ABU DHABI: Sediqullah Atal and Rashid Khan starred as Afghanistan secured a comprehensive 158-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second match of the ODI tri-series at Zayed Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Set 295, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 136 in 38.4 overs. Captain Sikandar Raza top-scored with 48 off 80 balls, striking a six and three fours. Ryan Burl and Brian Bennett were dismissed on the identical scores off 31.
Afghanistan mounted pressure on Zimbabwe right from the start as they were reduced to 43-4 in 12.5 overs. Sikandar Raza and Ryal Burl shared a 64-run partnership for the fifth wicket to take their side out of trouble.
The Chevrons were 107 inside 31.3 overs before Burl dismissal caused a collapse that Zimbabwe could not recover from.
Consequently, they were bowled out for a meagre total.
Rashid Khan starred with a four-wicket haul while giving away only 17 in his eight overs.
Earlier, Sediqullah Atal century helped Afghanistan reach 294 in 50 overs. Atal made 102 off 110 balls, hitting eight fours and a six, and shared a second-wicket stand of 140 with Ibrahim Zadran, who fell 10 runs short of a century.
Afghanistan looked set for a bigger total before Zimbabwe fought back with disciplined bowling, taking five wickets in the final five overs for just 34 runs.
Afghanistan made an aggressive start through Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who struck three fours and a six against Muzarabani. However, he soon dragged Masuku’s first delivery onto his stumps.
Zadran continued to attack, reaching his half-century in the 16th over. Atal accelerated alongside him, striking Wellington Masakadza for a four and a six in the 18th over.
Zadran looked set for a century but fell for 90 off 96 balls, including nine fours and two sixes, when he was caught at deep square leg off Evans.
Masuku then removed Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah for seven before a diving catch by Brendan Taylor dismissed Azmatullah Omarzai for eight.
Atal brought up his century with a hard-run three in the 44th over but was dismissed by Raza in the following over.
Ernest Masuku and Brad Evans claimed three wickets each, while Blessing Muzarabani took two for 68 in nine overs. Sikandar Raza also picked up a wicket.