Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan 2nd T20I: Match Blog
The second T20I between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, part of Afghanistan’s 2024/25 tour of Zimbabwe, took place on December 13, 2024, at the Harare Sports Club. It was a thrilling contest that saw Afghanistan emerge victorious by 50 runs, leveling the series at 1-1 after Zimbabwe’s win in the first T20I.
Match Overview
Afghanistan batted first, posting a solid total of 153/6 in their 20 overs. The innings was anchored by Darwish Rasooli, who top-scored with an impressive 58 off 42 balls, supported by Azmatullah’s 28 off 23 and late contributions from Gulbadin Naib. Zimbabwe’s bowling attack, led by Ryan Burl (2/16) and Trevor Gwandu (2/29), managed to restrict Afghanistan from fully capitalizing in the final overs.
In response, Zimbabwe struggled to gain momentum and were bundled out for 103 in 17.4 overs. Sikandar Raza, the Zimbabwean skipper, put up a valiant fight with 35 off 30 balls, but wickets fell at regular intervals, stalling their chase. Afghanistan’s spinners, particularly Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, turned the screws, with Naveen-ul-Haq taking crucial early wickets.
Key Highlights
- Afghanistan’s Middle-Order Resurgence: After a shaky start, Darwish Rasooli steadied the innings with a calculated knock, earning him the Player of the Match award. His partnership with Azmatullah provided stability in the middle overs.
- Zimbabwe’s Powerplay Collapse: Zimbabwe lost key wickets early, with Mujeeb and Naveen-ul-Haq dismantling their top order. This left the hosts reeling, unable to recover from the early damage.
- Rashid Khan’s Spin Magic: Rashid Khan was instrumental in tightening the grip during the middle overs, claiming the critical wicket of Ryan Burl and stifling Zimbabwe’s lower order.
- Zimbabwe’s Disappointing Finish: Despite a bright start to the series in the first T20I, Zimbabwe’s batting depth was exposed as they crumbled under the pressure of Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling attack.
Series Context
The series stands at an exciting 1-1, with the decider scheduled for December 14, 2024, also at Harare. Zimbabwe will need to regroup and address their batting frailties, while Afghanistan will look to carry forward the momentum of their comprehensive win into the final match.
For more in-depth statistics and updates on the series, you can explore sources such as Cricbuzz and Cricket World.
If you’d like further analysis or breakdowns from this match, feel free to ask!
