Twitter Reactions: Afghanistan clinch ODI series with another exceptional showing in third ODI

ZIM vs AFG. (Photo Source: Afghanistan Cricket Board/Instagram)

Afghanistan and Zimbabwe continued their ongoing ODI series by facing off in the third ODI. Both sides locked horns at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday, December 21. It is worth noting that the first ODI of the series was abandoned with no result, and the second ODI was won by Afghanistan after a marvellous performance. 

The third ODI of the series began with Zimbabwe coming in to bat first after losing the toss. The side got off to a subpar start as openers Joylord Gumbie and Ben Curran scored 3 and 12 runs, respectively. Furthermore, Craig Ervine departed for a score of five runs as well. 

With the top order getting dismissed cheaply, the knock of Sean Williams stabilised the innings for Zimbabwe. Williams amassed 60 runs in 61 deliveries with Sikandar Raza adding 13 runs on the board as the hosts posted a total of 127 runs in the first innings. 

As for Afghanistan, AM Ghazanfar was the highest wicket-taker in the first innings with five wickets to his name. Rashid Khan took three wickets, and Fareed Ahmad and Azmatullah Omarzai took one wicket each as well. 

Also Read: Zimbabwe include seven uncapped players in squad for upcoming Test series against Afghanistan

Afghanistan clinch series with comfortable run chase

Aiming to chase down a target of 128 runs, Afghanistan opened their innings with Sediqullah Atal and Abdul Malik scoring 52 and 29 runs, respectively. Furthermore, Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi stayed unbeaten on scores of 17 and 20 runs, respectively, as Afghanistan chased down the target and won the game by eight wickets and 139 balls remaining.

As for Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava and Trevor Gwandu were the only wicket-takers with one wicket each to their names. With the ODI series done with, both Afghanistan and Zimbabwe will now shift their focus onto the two-game Test series. The first Test will be held at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo from December 26.

Here’s how X reacted to the third ODI between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan: