Shahzad makes history to seal Afghanistan series win

The first T20 was played in Sharjah where Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat and made 187-7 in the 20 overs, Usman Ghani was the pick of the batsmen with 42 off 38 balls with five fours and one six, Shahzad made 33 off 17 balls, Nabi made 26 off 11 balls and Naib made 37 off 20 balls helping the team to reach the total of 187.

Mohammad Nabi was the second-highest scorer for Afghanistan with 22 runs.

Before Shahzad, Scotland’s Richie Berrinton (in 2012) had the distinction of being the only Associate batsman to score a T20I century. Before this match, the highest ever T20I score by an Afghan batsman was the 69 made by Ghani against Oman in November 2015.

But it was just five deliveries, Shahzad needed to get into the groove as he scored five boundaries and a six to take Afghanistan to 43 for naught in the powerplay.

After managing to score just eight in the first two overs, Zimbabwe lost Chibhabha (3) early. Shahzad brought up his fifty in 30 balls with his team score reading just 59. In reply, Zimbabwe’s poor batting effort saw them getting out for 134.

As a result of the 81-runs victory Afghanistan completed white wash against Zimbabwe with 2-0 victory in T20 series. Only two different batsmen – Peter Moor and Tendai Chisoro – reached double figures.

Dawlat Zadran (2-21), Amir Hamza (2-15) and Sayed Shirzad (2-31) claimed two wickets apiece as only Masakadza (63) and Peter Moor (35) made notable contributions on another dismal day for Zimbabwe.

Afghanistan fast bowler Dawlat Zadran was warned and fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Conduct of Conduct during his side’s fourth One-Day International against Zimbabwe at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday, 4 January.

Zimbabwe needed a batsman – or two – to step it up to the effect or even better Shahzad’s brilliance but that wasn’t to be.

Zimbabwe never looked capable of making it a close match and Hamilton Masakadza’s 63 was the only bright spot as they were bowled out for 134 in 18.1 overs.