Noor Ahmad’s five-wicket haul crushes Zimbabwe as Afghanistan are comprehensively swept in T20Is

Afghanistan bowler Noor Ahmad (file photo) Afghanistan completed a 3-0 win over Zimbabwe in the T20I series after beating them by seven wickets in the third and final match in Sharjah on Sunday. Noor Ahmad led the bowling effort with his first five-wicket haul, taking 5/13 in 3.3 overs as Zimbabwe were bowled out for just 79 in less than 15 overs.Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran opted to bowl in the hope of testing his team’s chasing skills. However, Noor’s spell left them with a target of just 80, which they reached in 8.1 overs, with seven wickets to spare.The win was Afghanistan’s second biggest T20I win in terms of balls remaining.Afghanistan made an impact soon after opting to bowl. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai dismissed openers Innocent Kaiu and Brian Bennett in successive overs before Abdullah Tarakhail dismissed Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza to leave the visitors struggling at 13/3 in the fourth over.Ryan Burl tried to steady the innings with 30 runs, but Abdollah Ahmadzai got him out leg before the wicket. Noor then took the lead and took five wickets as Zimbabwe’s middle and lower order failed to put up a fight. The visitors were dismissed for 79.Afghanistan started the chase at a blistering pace, Mohammad Akram scoring 14 off five balls before falling to Blessing Muzarabani. Sediqullah Atal added 20 off 14 deliveries but was dismissed by Ernest Masuku, who then removed Noor ul Rahman to give Zimbabwe a brief chance of a comeback.However, Zadran remained unbeaten on 25 while Omarzai scored 18 not out as the pair guided Afghanistan to victory.Afghanistan clinched the series after winning the first two matches. In the second T20I, Omarzai scored 116 off 50 balls to help his team beat Zimbabwe by 19 runs. Raza’s 106 off 56 deliveries was not enough to take Zimbabwe over the line.Rashid Khan guided Afghanistan to a 37-run victory in the series opener with an all-round performance.Both teams will now turn their attention to the longer format, with the two-match Test series starting on November 5.

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