Hamza, Nabi Gives Afghanistan 49-run win over Zimbabwe

Sharjah: History came to haunt Zimbabwe once again as Afghanistan made a miraculous comeback with the ball, after a poor outing with the ball, as they skittled Zimbabwe for a paltry total of 82, thus registering a thrilling 49-run win in the opening One-Day International at the Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium on Friday.

Amir Hazma’s four-wicket hail and Mohammad Nabi’s three-wicket spell was enough to destry Zimbabwe’s shaky batting line-up. Zimbabwe had earlier been in similar situation in 2006 at Harare against Kenya, where they had bowled Kenya out for 132, but were squandered for mere 69 during the chase.

Earlier, Afghanistan skipper Asghar Stanikzai won the toss and elected to bat first as they got skittled for mere 131, owing to spinner Graeme Cremer’s impressive figure of five for 20.

Zimbabwe started the chase on a shaky note with Chamu Chibha bha falling for an unfortunate duck to Hamza, with just a single run on the board. With more runs added, it was CraigErvibne, who fell for mere six to Mirwais Ashraf, followed by Richmond Mutumbani for an other unfortunate duck to the same man, after a run.

It was the pair of opener Peter Moor and skipper Elton Chigumbura, who added 35 runs to the total, but it was at the score of 47, when Moor fell for 21 to Hamza, and 17 run later, it was Chigumbura, who fell for 28 to Mohammad Nabi, thus being the highest scorer of the innings.

Following his dismissal, none of the incloming batsmen were strong enough as they made the easy chase ;look extremely difficult and fell like a pile of cards as they surrendered themselves to the Afghan bowlers.

It was at the score of 64, when a couple of other batsmen in the form of Sikandar Raza (6) was run out and Malcolm Waller was dismissed for a duck by Nabi.

Although there was a 14-run stand between Luke Jongwe and Graeme Cremer, it was not enough as at the score of 78, it was Jongwe, who was bowled by Hamza, followed by Hamilton Masakadza for duck to Mohammad Nabi, while Taurai Muzrabani was the final man to be dismissed by Hamza for a couple as Afghanistan registered a miraculous 49-run win over the visitors, while Hamza was declared Man of the Match.

Brief scores:
Afghanistan - 131 (Noor Asli Zardan 63, Cremer 5-20)
Zimbabwe - 82 (Amir Hamza 4-17, Mohammad Nabi 3-15)
Result - Afghanistan won by 49 runs.
MOM - Amir Hamza (Afghanistan)

Scores	Upcoming	Results
Pakistan vs New Zealand - 5th T20I Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings - 42nd Match Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians - 43rd Match Lucknow Super Giants vs Rajasthan Royals - 44th Match 45th Match - Gujarat Titans v Royal Challengers Bangalore - April 28, 10:00 GMT 46th Match - Chennai Super Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad - April 28, 14:00 GMT 4th T20I - Pakistan v New Zealand at Lahore New Zealand won by 4 runs 41st Match - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Royal Challengers Bangalore at Hyderabad Royal Challengers Bangalore won by 35 runs

Shahzad Ton Propels Afghanistan to Series Win [+]

Wicketkeeper-batsman smashes unbeaten 118 as Zimbabwe is beaten by 81 runs in second T20I at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Afghanistan Maintain Domination in T20 [+]

Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by five runs in an enthralling first Twenty20 International between the two sides at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday (January 8) evening to go 1-0 up in the two-match series.

Gulbadin Steers Afghanistan to Series Win [+]

Batsman stays unbeaten on 82 off 68 balls in thrilling last-over finish against Zimbabwe in the final ODI at Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium on Wednesday.

All-round Chibhabha Special Stun Afghanistan [+]

All-round Chibhabha helps Zimbabwe level series 2-2, Afghanistan batting folds for 161 after its bowlers do well to restrict the opposition for 226.

Hamza Gives Afghanistan 49-run win over Zimbabwe [+]

Amir Hazma's four-wicket hail and Mohammad Nabi's three-wicket spell was enough to destry Zimbabwe's shaky batting line-up at Sharjah International Stadium on Friday.