Afghanistan rewrite history

AFP, BULAWAYO (ZIMBABWE): Afghanistan made history on Saturday when they became the first Associate nation to defeat a Test-playing country in a one-day series with a comprehensive 73-run win over Zimbabwe.
The victory gave Afghanistan a 3-2 series win after the two sides had shared the first four games at the Queen’s Sports Club. Chasing a 246-run winning target, Zimbabwe were skittled out for 172 in the 45th over despite Sean Williams making a fine 102 off 124 balls with three boundaries and four sixes.
Fast bowler Dawlat Zadran finished with a career best 4-22 in his 10 overs.
Earlier, opener Noor Ali Zadran made 54
and Mohammad Nabi, who hit a maiden century in the second match of the series, chipped in with 53 as Afghanistan reached 245-9 in their 50 overs.
Even though Afghanistan's middle order did not capitalise on the strong start provided by their top four batsmen, their bowlers, led by Dawlat Zadran, did not allow Zimbabwe to build partnerships at any point during their innings, striking as early as the second over to quickly derail Zimbabwe's chase.
Dawlat was once again penetrative with both the new and old ball, finishing with 4 for 22 from his eight overs, while left-arm spinner Amir Hamza strangled them further with his 3 for 41. Williams' maiden ODI hundred went in vain as he was the only fighting force from his team and was the last wicket to fall. The next best contribution was 16 from No. 9 Luke Jongwe and only three batsmen reached double-figures for Zimbabwe.
Dawlat, who shared the Man-of-the-Match award with Williams, struck with his very first delivery of the match to have opener Chamu Chibhabha caught at point.
Craig Ervine did not last long, feathering an edge through to Mohammad Shahzad off Mirwais Ashraf, and when an advancing Richmond Mutumbami was bowled by Dawlat, Zimbabwe were a ragged mess at 15 for 3.
Tino Mutombodzi's first shot in anger, off Hamza, produced only an edge that flew to Nabi at slip, and it quickly seemed as though Williams would be playing a lone hand. He attempted to mount a counterattack, swiping Nabi for a pair of handsome sixes over long on, but when Sikandar Raza attempted to repeat the treatment from the other end, he was immediately stumped and Zimbabwe slipped to 51 for 5 in the 15th over.

Afghanistan rewrite history

AFP, BULAWAYO (ZIMBABWE): Afghanistan made history on Saturday when they became the first Associate nation to defeat a Test-playing country in a one-day series with a comprehensive 73-run win over Zimbabwe. The victory gave Afghanistan a 3-2 series win after the two sides had shared the first four games at the Queens Sports Club. Chasing a 246-run winning target, Zimbabwe were skittled out for 172 in the 45th over despite Sean Williams making a fine 102 off 124 balls with three boundaries and four sixes. Fast bowler Dawlat Zadran finished with a career best 4-22 in his 10 overs. Earlier, opener Noor Ali Zadran made 54 and Mohammad Nabi, who hit a maiden century in the second match of the series, chipped in with 53 as Afghanistan reached 245-9 in their 50 overs. Even though Afghanistans middle order did not capitalise on the strong start provided by their top four batsmen, their bowlers, led by Dawlat Zadran, did not allow Zimbabwe to build partnerships at any point during their innings, striking as early as the second over to quickly derail Zimbabwes chase. Dawlat was once again penetrative with both the new and old ball, finishing with 4 for 22 from his eight overs, while left-arm spinner Amir Hamza strangled them further with his 3 for 41. Williams maiden ODI hundred went in vain as he was the only fighting force from his team and was the last wicket to fall. The next best contribution was 16 from No. 9 Luke Jongwe and only three batsmen reached double-figures for Zimbabwe. Dawlat, who shared the Man-of-the-Match award with Williams, struck with his very first delivery of the match to have opener Chamu Chibhabha caught at point. Craig Ervine did not last long, feathering an edge through to Mohammad Shahzad off Mirwais Ashraf, and when an advancing Richmond Mutumbami was bowled by Dawlat, Zimbabwe were a ragged mess at 15 for 3. Tino Mutombodzis first shot in anger, off Hamza, produced only an edge that flew to Nabi at slip, and it quickly seemed as though Williams would be playing a lone hand. He attempted to mount a counterattack, swiping Nabi for a pair of handsome sixes over long on, but when Sikandar Raza attempted to repeat the treatment from the other end, he was immediately stumped and Zimbabwe slipped to 51 for 5 in the 15th over.