2nd ODI: Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah star as Afghanistan take unassailable 2-0 lead in Zimbabwe ODIs
India Today
On Monday, Ibrahim Zadran scored his maiden ODI century and guided Afghanistan to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory at the Harare Sports Club,
Afghanistan, on Monday, June 6, took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe after 20-year-old Ibrahim Zadran scored his maiden ODI century.
The Young Turk stayed unbeaten on 120 off 138 balls with 16 fours as the visitors chased 230 down with 33 balls to spare at the Harare Sports Club. Zadran and veteran Rahmat Shah stitched together a partnership of 195 runs for the second wicket and helped their team cruise to victory.
Shah scored 94 in the first ODI and he backed it up with an 88-run knock with nine fours. It was also the second century partnership that Shah was involved in during the series.
Zadran and Shah took charge after Blessing Muzarabani got rid of the hard-hitting Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the third over of Afghanistan’s run-chase.
“The wicket was much better for batting today and I decided that I would play my natural game. I really enjoy batting with Rahmat Shah. I can play my shots with him around me,” Zadran said after he won the Player of the Match award.
Earlier, 29-year-old Innocent Kaia scored his maiden ODI half-century, but his knock went in vain. Ryan Burl’s unbeaten 51 took the hosts to a respectable score of 228 in 50 overs. Sikandar Raza and skipper Craig Ervine also scored 40 and 32 respectively.
Fareed Ahmad was the pick of the bowlers for the Afghans with three crucial scalps. Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan got two wickets apiece.
