Afghanistan completed a dominant 3-0 T20I series sweep against Zimbabwe after delivering an emphatic performance in the third and final match. The visitors were bundled out for a meager 79 runs in 14.3 overs, with the Afghan bowlers proving far too clinical for the touring side’s batting lineup. Afghanistan comfortably chased down the target in just 8.1 overs, losing three wickets in the process to seal the series finale. Afghanistan, who’d already won the series 2-0, put in an emphatic effort to claim it 3-0. Afghanistan lost three wickets in chase but it took them just 8.1 overs to get past Zimbabwe’s lowly total.
The collapse was orchestrated by left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad, who returned remarkable figures of 5-13 from his 3.3-over spell. His performance was highlighted by 11 dot balls, as he systematically dismantled the Zimbabwean middle and lower order. Noor claimed the wickets of Wesley Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Newman Nyamhuri, and Ernest Masuku during a devastating sequence that saw Zimbabwe slide from 56/4 to being bowled out entirely in just 4.4 overs.
The foundation for the low total was set by the Afghanistan pace attack early on. Azmatullah Omarzai, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Abdullah Tarakhail combined to reduce Zimbabwe to 13/3 within the first four overs. Although Ryan Burl and Wesley Madhevere attempted to stabilize the innings, Abdullah Omarzai broke the resistance by dismissing Burl in the 10th over, effectively ending any hopes of a competitive total.
In response, Afghanistan navigated a brief Powerplay challenge to reach the target inside nine overs. Opener Ibrahim Zadran anchored the chase with an unbeaten 25 off 17 deliveries, while Azmatullah Omarzai remained not out on 18 to guide the hosts home. The brief scores for the match saw Zimbabwe finish on 79 all out, while Afghanistan responded with 80/3 to claim the seven-wicket victory. Brief Scores: Zimbabwe 79 in 14.3 overs (Ryan Burl 30; Noor Ahmad 5-13) lost to Afghanistan 80/3 in 8.1 overs (Ibrahim Zadran 25*) by 7 wickets.
