Afghanistan opened their UAE ODI tri-series campaign with a 28-run victory over Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi on Monday, powered by Sediqullah Atal’s third ODI century.
Atal made 102 off 110 balls, striking eight fours and a six, and added 140 runs for the second wicket with Ibrahim Zadran, who fell in the nineties for the fourth time in his young career with a fluent 90. The pair had Afghanistan well placed for a total well beyond 300 before Zimbabwe fought back smartly at the death.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers turned the game in the final hour, picking up five wickets in the last five overs for just 34 runs to bowl Afghanistan out for 294. Ernest Masuku and Brad Evans led the fightback with three wickets each, while Blessing Muzarabani claimed two and Sikandar Raza chipped in with one.
In reply, Zimbabwe’s chase never quite gathered momentum against a disciplined Afghan attack. Regis Chakabva fought hard with a valiant 42 and shared a 45-run stand with Neville Madziva, but Gulbadin Naib broke the partnership before Rashid Khan removed the dangerous Ryan Burl to seal the result. Afghanistan’s spinners held their nerve through the middle overs to close out a comfortable win and start the tri-series on a winning note.
