Afghanistan claimed a convincing 232-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second ODI at Harare Sports Club, thanks to Sediqullah Atal’s century and a dominant bowling display from AM Ghazanfar and Naveed Zadran. The win gives Afghanistan a 1-0 lead in the series after the first match was abandoned due to rain.
In a commanding display of cricket, Afghanistan triumphed over Zimbabwe by a staggering 232 runs during the second One Day International (ODI) held at Harare Sports Club on Thursday. The match showcased the phenomenal performance of opener Sediqullah Atal, who scored a remarkable century, alongside strong bowling efforts from AM Ghazanfar and Naveed Zadran. With this victory, Afghanistan leads the ODI series 1-0 after the first match was abandoned due to rain.
Zimbabwe, having won the toss, opted to field first. Sediqullah Atal led the batting charge with 104 runs off 128 balls and was supported ably by Abdul Malik, who contributed 84 runs from 101 deliveries. The pair built a solid opening partnership that yielded 191 runs, putting Afghanistan in a dominant position. Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled to claim early wickets, and although Newman Nyamhuri eventually dismissed both openers, the start had already put Afghanistan in control. The visitors finished their innings at 286/6.
In their pursuit, Zimbabwe faltered spectacularly against Afghanistan’s bowling attack. The hosts only managed to post 54 runs before their innings came to a premature end. AM Ghazanfar and Naveed Zadran each took three wickets, while Fazalhaq Farooqi also made notable contributions with two wickets. Only Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza offered some resistance with scores of 16 and 19 respectively. In recognition of his outstanding performance, Sediqullah Atal was awarded the ‘Player of the Match.’
The second ODI match between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe was pivotal, especially following the first game’s abandonment. Afghanistan, having recently been competitive in international cricket, aimed to establish dominance in this series. Zimbabwe sought to leverage home advantage but struggled against a strong Afghan side, particularly in the bowling department. The performance of individual players such as Sediqullah Atal and the bowling duo of Ghazanfar and Zadran highlighted Afghanistan’s current cricketing strength.
Afghanistan’s 232-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second ODI not only showcased their batting and bowling prowess but also provided a solid lead in the series. Sediqullah Atal’s century and the effective bowling performance from Ghazanfar and Zadran were critical in securing this win. As the series progresses, Afghanistan will look to maintain their momentum, while Zimbabwe will strive to regroup and improve their performance in subsequent matches.
Original Source: thenewsmill.com
