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Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, 1st ODI at Sharjah, , Dec 25 2015 - Ball by Ball Commentary

RESULT
1st ODI (D/N), Sharjah, December 25, 2015, Zimbabwe tour of United Arab Emirates
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(30.5/50 ov, T:132) 82

Afghanistan won by 49 runs

Player Of The Match
4/17
amir-hamza
New
ZIM
Full commentary

8.40pm Wow, what a sensational comeback that has been from Afghanistan. Who'd have thunk? Their bowlers have dominated and put on a show for a global audience on Christmas Day. Defending 131, early wickets were a must and they picked em up before the dinner break. Amir Hamza took one in his first over and Ashraf took two in an over to keep this game interesting. however, thee post-dinner period was thoroughly dominated by Hamza and Nabi who ran through the middle order in spectacular fashion. Absolutely delirious scenes among the Afghanistan players and staff and why not? Zimbabwe were poor, they had no answers to spin and got themselves in a hole, just like the Afghanistan batsmen. Chigumbura looked in control during his innings but things fell away following his dismissal.

Amir Hamza is the Man of the Match: "The captain told me 'to bowl wicket to wicket and if an opportunity is there, don't miss out'. Inzy and Prabhakar also told me not to miss an opportunity. We have been here for a week, we have trained. We have a strong domestic structure which gets better day by day.

Asghar Stanikzai: "A low-scoring match and of course we are very happy. Wicket is very good for spin, spinners had to support the bowler. We know this wicket. Very good game for Noor. Some poor shots and we have to improve.

Elton Chigumbura: "I thought we started well, at one stage we thought they would score 270. Cremer and Wellington bowled well, disappointing with the bat. Me and Moor got in, we are the ones who lost this game, we didn't take it home. We have to polish our mistakes. It's not about the toss, its about how you play the spinners if you play them well you are bound to win the game. We have 2-3 days to ensure we polish our mistakes today."

30.5
W
Amir Hamza to Muzarabani, OUT

gone! He has been given. Afghanistan win. What a performance from the bowlers. A slider on middle and leg, the ball skids on and hits TM on the pad in front of leg, the umpire had no hesitation and delirious scenes as Afghanistan go 1-0 up. Stumps are uprooted and fists are pumped, Zimbabwe are distraught.

Taurai Muzarabani lbw b Amir Hamza 2 (8b 0x4 0x6) SR: 25
30.4
Amir Hamza to Muzarabani, no run

fired full and quick on leg, TM shuffles across and miss his flick, very very close to leg stump there.

Lots of chat

30.3
Amir Hamza to Muzarabani, no run

full and flat on off, dug out

30.2
Amir Hamza to Muzarabani, no run

slowed up and wide outside off, TM guides one down on the bounce to first slip

30.1
Amir Hamza to Muzarabani, no run

flighted on off, TM goes to the pitch to block

PrashanthLV: "Counterattacking is a risk, stay rock solid at the crease till last 5 overs, runs will come on its own. "

end of over 304 runs • 1 wicket
ZIM: 82/9CRR: 2.73 RRR: 2.50
Taurai Muzarabani2 (3b)
Graeme Cremer12 (22b 1x4)
Mohammad Nabi 5-0-15-3
Amir Hamza 7-2-17-3
29.6
1
M Nabi to Muzarabani, 1 run

Cremer goes for the run, slower outside off, played towards short third man where a run is completed

29.5
M Nabi to Muzarabani, no run

tossed up down leg, may have clipped the pad on the way to the keeper. Shahzad goes up immediately but rightly not given.

29.4
1
M Nabi to Cremer, 1 run

a touch too short on leg, clipped to deep square leg

Zakir: "From here onward it seems very difficult but not impossible for Zim although its very close to victory for Afghanistan."

29.3
1
M Nabi to Muzarabani, 1 run

flatter outside off, off the outside half towards short third man for one

What a resounding performance this has been from the bowlers, but the job isn't over yet. Here is last man Muzarabani. Nabi and Stanikzai have a chat.

29.2
W
M Nabi to Masakadza, OUT

gone! Zim nine down. Wellington goes for the sweep but the ball bounces a touch and takes the top edge. Spoons up for short fine leg to take. Zimbabwe have capitulated here.

Wellington Masakadza c Yamin Ahmadzai b Mohammad Nabi 0 (6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0

The fielders surround the batsman. A slip and silly point

29.1
1
M Nabi to Cremer, 1 run

slower on middle and leg, worked away towards backward square leg

end of over 29Wicket maiden
ZIM: 78/8CRR: 2.68 RRR: 2.57
Wellington Masakadza0 (5b)
Graeme Cremer10 (20b 1x4)
Amir Hamza 7-2-17-3
Mohammad Nabi 4-0-11-2
28.6
Amir Hamza to Masakadza, no run

big appeal, not given! Good decision, slid on with the arm and beat the outside edge outside off

28.5
Amir Hamza to Masakadza, no run

pushed wider of the crease, the ball spins a mile but Wellington follows the ball and turns to square leg

28.4
Amir Hamza to Masakadza, no run

quicker but straight, Wellington gets some bat on his block

28.3
Amir Hamza to Masakadza, no run

slower outside off, driven to cover

28.2
Amir Hamza to Masakadza, no run

premeditated sweep. Slower offspinner outside off, the batsman goes across and tries to sweep but the ball is pulled back, an awkward paddle ensues

54 to win for Zim but only two wickets in hand, either a partnership or a counterattacking cameo is a must at this point for Zim. Afghanistan are all over the batsmen.

28.1
W
Amir Hamza to Jongwe, OUT

wow, beauty. Hamza does it again, goes wider of the crease and pitches on middle, that angle created made Jongwe defend down the line, but the ball spun and gripped in the wicket to take the off stump. Stunning delivery, and what a timely one at that. Zim now eight down, with lots of work to do.

Luke Jongwe b Amir Hamza 4 (8b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50

Amir Hamza

end of over 285 runs
ZIM: 78/7CRR: 2.78 RRR: 2.45
Graeme Cremer10 (20b 1x4)
Luke Jongwe4 (7b)
Mohammad Nabi 4-0-11-2
Yamin Ahmadzai 3-1-4-0
27.6
4
M Nabi to Cremer, FOUR runs

runs! Important runs! Nabi drops one short and on leg too. Cremer goes back quickly and pummels a pull to backward square leg

27.5
M Nabi to Cremer, no run

floated up on middle and leg, blocked

27.4
M Nabi to Cremer, no run

punched back to the bowler

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