Shahzad lifts Afghanistan to second win on tour

Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad scored his second consecutive half-century, building the first-innings platform for Afghanistan in a 22-run win. Shahzad, who scored 78 in Afghanistan's 70-run win on Thursday, top-scored on Saturday over the same opposition with 72 off 94 balls in his side's total of 226 after being sent in to bat first.

Shahzad added 74 runs for the third wicket with Asghar Stanikzai in the best partnership of the innings. Stanikzai's 36 was Afghanistan's next best contribution after Shahzad but both men fell within three deliveries of each other with the score on 149 to trigger a middle-order collapse that saw Afghanistan lose four wickets for just two runs, going from 149 for 2 in the 32nd over to 151 for 6 in the 35th.

Tendai Chisoro and Tapiwa Mufudza combined to do the damage for the hosts, taking two wickets each in that segment of play. Chisoro eventually finished with 2 for 29 in his 10 overs while Mufudza ended with 3 for 57 in his 10 to lead the Zimbabwe Chairman XI in the field as Afghanistan were bowled out with an over to spare in their innings.

Afghanistan came out on fire in the field as a trio of seamers - Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Mirwais Ashraf - and left-arm spinner Amir Hamza took two wickets apiece. The hosts were in danger of being bowled out for under 100 with the score 95 for 9 just past the halfway point of the chase. However, Chisoro and fellow tailender Donald Tiripano produced a remarkable 109-run 10th wicket stand that nearly took the home side to an improbable win with just 23 needed off the final six overs.

Mohammad Nabi finally struck on the first ball of the 45th over to clinch the match though, bowling Chisoro for 63. Tiripano finished unbeaten on 44 in the loss.

Afghanistan play the Zimbabwe Chairman's XI in the third 50-over tour match on Monday before the first of five ODIs between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe begins in Bulawayo on October 16.