After posting 294 in their 50 overs, Afghanistan bowled Zimbabwe out for just 136 in 38.4 overs to register a comprehensive win.
The result puts Afghanistan in a strong position in the race for the final, while Bangladesh now face an uphill task.
Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran starred with the bat for Afghanistan, scoring 102 and 90 respectively. Atal struck eight fours and a six in his 110-ball innings, while Zadran hit nine fours and two sixes off 96 deliveries.
The pair anchored Afghanistan’s innings with a crucial second-wicket partnership of 140 runs after Rahmanullah Gurbaz departed for 25. Zadran fell for 90 with the score at 190, but Atal continued to hold the innings together.
Hashmatullah Shahidi added 28, while Afghanistan picked up useful runs in the closing overs to finish on 294. Brad Evans and Ernest Masuku claimed three wickets each for Zimbabwe, while Blessing Muzarabani took two.
Zimbabwe’s chase got off to a disastrous start as they lost three wickets for just 26 runs. Brian Bennett offered some resistance with 31, but Afghanistan continued to chip away at the batting order.
Captain Sikandar Raza top-scored with 48 off 80 balls, while Ryan Burl contributed 31. However, neither could produce the partnership Zimbabwe needed to stay in the contest.
Rashid Khan led Afghanistan’s bowling attack with four wickets for just 17 runs in eight overs.
Fazalhaq Farooqi claimed two wickets, while AM Ghazanfar and Mohammad Nabi took one each as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 136.
The emphatic victory gives Afghanistan a significant boost in the race for the final and leaves Bangladesh needing a strong performance in their remaining fixture.
Bangladesh will face Afghanistan on October 21 in Sharjah.
Elimination scenario
-> If BAN bat first & beat AFG by 41 runs then they will qualify for the Finals.
-> Afghanistan can Qualify for Finals even if they lose the last match by 216 runs.
Only a bigger margin of loss than this can eliminate Afghanistan from Finals of this Tri-Series.
For Zimbabwe to Qualify:
-> BAN beat AFG by 39 (or) lesser runs
-> Else, BAN beat AFG by 218 (or) more runs.
If BAN beat AFG by 41-216 runs then ZIM will be eliminated
In case if Bangladesh bat 2nd.
-> Assume if Afghanistan score 250 runs in their first inns, then Bangladesh should chase 251 runs in 41.3 ovs to qualify for the Finals.
