ABU DHABI: Sediqullah Atal struck a commanding century before leg-spinner Rashid Khan produced a devastating four-wicket spell as Afghanistan secured a comprehensive 158-run victory over Zimbabwe in the UAE ODI Tri-Series on Monday, keeping the race for a place in Sunday’s final wide open.
Afghanistan posted 294 runs, powered by Atal’s 102 and Ibrahim Zadran’s impressive 90, before dismantling Zimbabwe’s batting lineup for just 136 in 38.4 overs.
The defeat dealt a significant blow to Zimbabwe’s hopes of reaching the final. A total of 196 runs would have been sufficient to secure their qualification, but another top-order collapse and Rashid’s exceptional bowling performance denied them that opportunity.
Following the result, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe stand on two points each, with all three participating teams still mathematically in contention. The final league encounter between Afghanistan and Bangladesh, scheduled for Wednesday, will determine the finalists.
Afghanistan’s innings was built around a crucial 140-run second-wicket partnership between Atal and Zadran, which provided the foundation for a competitive total.
After opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz supplied early momentum, Zadran assumed responsibility for maintaining the scoring rate. Displaying excellent timing and controlled aggression, he reached his 11th ODI half-century and appeared destined for another international hundred.
Atal initially adopted a measured approach but gradually accelerated as the partnership developed. His ability to rotate the strike and capitalise on scoring opportunities allowed Afghanistan to consolidate their position.
Zadran eventually departed for 90 when Brad Evans dismissed him through a catch at deep square leg, marking the fourth occasion in his ODI career that he had fallen in the nineties.
Zimbabwe briefly regained control as Afghanistan lost Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai in quick succession.
Atal responded by adjusting his approach and forming a 42-run fifth-wicket partnership with Hashmatullah Shahidi, ensuring that Afghanistan maintained their momentum despite the setbacks.
He subsequently completed his third ODI century, demonstrating composure and adaptability under pressure.
However, Afghanistan suffered a dramatic late collapse after Atal departed in the 45th over, with the total already beyond 250.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers captured the final six wickets for just 35 runs across the last 5.2 overs, preventing Afghanistan from reaching an even larger total.
Ernest Masuku returned figures of 3 for 44, while Brad Evans claimed 3 for 48, providing Zimbabwe with a measure of encouragement ahead of the chase.
That optimism quickly disappeared as Afghanistan’s bowlers exploited Zimbabwe’s fragile top order.
Left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi made the initial breakthrough, dismissing Ben Curran for a duck in the third over with a delivery that moved sharply off the seam.
Tafadzwa Tsiga followed for just two runs after edging Farooqi behind the wicket.
Zimbabwe’s difficulties intensified when experienced batter Brendan Taylor was run out for one following an accurate direct hit from Omarzai.
Brian Bennett briefly attempted to counterattack, striking a six and a boundary, but his resistance ended when AM Ghazanfar trapped him leg-before-wicket for 31 off 40 deliveries.
Zimbabwe consequently slipped to 43 for four after 13 overs, leaving their middle order facing an increasingly difficult recovery.
Captain Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl attempted to rebuild the innings through a patient fifth-wicket partnership.
The pair added 64 runs, concentrating on preserving wickets rather than pursuing aggressive scoring opportunities. Their partnership included an extended period of nearly 13 overs without a boundary.
Raza survived two dropped catches during his innings, but Zimbabwe remained well behind the required scoring rate.
Rashid Khan then transformed the contest with a decisive spell of leg-spin bowling.
He broke the partnership by dismissing Burl leg-before-wicket for 31, before removing Wessley Madhevere with a delivery that stayed unusually low.
Rashid followed with the crucial wicket of Raza, whose stumps were shattered by a sharply turning googly. The Zimbabwe captain departed for 48 from 80 deliveries.
Zimbabwe collapsed from 107 for four to 124 for seven as Afghanistan tightened their grip on the match.
Mohammad Nabi subsequently dismissed Brad Evans, while Rashid completed his four-wicket haul by bowling Ernest Masuku for a duck.
A run-out of Wellington Masakadza completed Zimbabwe’s innings and confirmed Afghanistan’s emphatic victory.
Rashid finished with outstanding figures of 4 for 17, while Farooqi contributed 2 for 15, underlining Afghanistan’s superiority with the ball.
The result demonstrated Afghanistan’s ability to recover from batting setbacks and apply sustained pressure through a disciplined bowling attack. Atal’s century established the platform for victory, while Rashid’s decisive spell ensured Zimbabwe could not mount a meaningful challenge.
With qualification still unresolved, Wednesday’s Afghanistan-Bangladesh encounter now assumes particular significance in determining the two teams that will contest the tri-series final.
Match Summary: Afghanistan 294 all out; Zimbabwe 136 all out (38.4 overs). Afghanistan won by 158 runs.
