Chakabva thwarts Afghanistan in final tuneup

Captain Regis Chakabva's 92 led Zimbabwe Chairman's XI to a 34-run win over Afghanistan in the final 50-over tour warm-up match at Bulawayo on Monday. Chakabva top-scored in his side's 215 after being sent in to bat to deny Afghanistan an undefeated record in the visitors' three-match warm-up series.

Chakabva played a part in two key half-century stands to get the Chairman's XI to a defendable total. Ryan Burl, who made 20, teamed with Chakabva as part of a 59-run third wicket stand before the captain added another 54 for the sixth wicket with wicketkeeper Joylord Gumbie. He was the sixth wicket to fall, two boundaries short of a hundred, in the 44th over to Mohammad Nabi.

The opening bowling combo of Fareed Ahmad and Shapoor Zadran then returned late to wipe out the tail, bowling the hosts out in 49 overs. Ahmad claimed 3 for 27 while Shapoor took 2 for 28 in his seven overs.

In reply, Afghanistan struggled to string together a solid partnership beyond the 50 put on by Mohammad Shahzad and Asghar Stanikzai for the third wicket. Both batsmen made 31 before being dismissed. Samiullah Shenwari was the only other batsman to cross 20 and nearly took Afghanistan a third win with 57 off 75 balls.

Afghanistan needed to score 35 off the final 29 balls with two wickets in hand and Shenwari still at the crease, but Donald Tiripano had him caught behind off the second ball of the 46th over to snuff out the victory threat. Tiripano bowled Shapoor on the ensuing delivery to end the match to finish with figures of 3 for 15.

The first of five ODIs between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe begins on Friday at Bulawayo.