Afghanistan Posts 294, With Atal’s 102 and Zadran’s 90, to Force Zimbabwe’s Late Fightback

Afghanistan were bowled out for 294 runs, featuring Sediqullah Atal’s 102 and Ibrahim Zadran’s 90, before Zimbabwe staged a late comeback in their second match of the tri‑series in Abu Dhabi.

Atal, fresh from a Test century against Bangladesh, top‑edged the innings with 102 off 110 balls, including eight fours and a six. He shared a 140‑run second‑wicket partnership with Zadran, who struck his fourth career dismissal in the nineties. Zadran’s innings of 90 from 96 deliveries contained nine fours and two sixes.

Zimbabwe responded with disciplined and intelligent bowling. After the large partnership was broken, they restricted the hosts to just 34 runs in the final five overs while claiming five wickets. Ernest Masuku and Brad Evans each grabbed three wickets, Sikandar Raza took one, and Blessing Muzarabani bowled nine overs for two wickets and 68 runs.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz opened the assault on Muzarabani, hitting three fours and a square‑cut six, but he was soon dismissed by Masuku’s first ball, dragging it onto his stumps. Atal survived a catch at long‑off on 52 before accelerating, striking Raza and Wellington Masakadza for consecutive fours and later launching a six over long‑off.

Zadran maintained an attacking stance, bringing up his half‑century in the 16th over and later holing out at deep square leg trying to swing Evans for another boundary. Masuku then removed captain Rahmat Shah for seven and Brendan Taylor took a diving catch to dismiss Azmatullah Omarzai for eight.

Atal added an important 42 runs with Hashmatullah Shahidi before reaching his century with a hard‑run three down the ground in the 44th over. He fell to Raza in the next over. Shahidi was caught by Muzarabani off a short ball, Evans bowled Rashid Khan, Ghazanfar was caught by Raza attempting a loft, Mohammad Nabi was caught off Evans in the final over, and Ziaur Rahman was run out attempting a second run on the last ball.

Source link