Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, ODI Tri-Series in UAE, 2026 Oct 23 Full score card

FOUR! That will do! Short and wide, Hashmatullah Shahidi latches onto it and cuts it through cover-point for a boundary. Afghanistan win by 7 wickets and clinch this Tri-Series.

Fired in, on off, Hashmatullah Shahidi guides it to third man for a brace.

Flatter, on off, Hashmatullah Shahidi punches it to cover.

Turning in, on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it to cover.

A bit short, on leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi tucks it through square leg for a single.

Nice and full, on off, Ibrahim Zadran knocks it down the ground for a single.

Shortish, on off, Ibrahim Zadran eases it to mid on.

Fired in, on off, Ibrahim Zadran blocks it back to the bowler.

A bit short, on leg, Ibrahim Zadran tucks it to mid-wicket.

Fullish, on off, Hashmatullah Shahidi pushes it to cover.

With just 8 runs needed, Hashmatullah Shahidi walks in to bat.

OUT! TAKEN! That's an unbelievable catch from Ryan Burl. Short, on off, Rahmat Shah pulls it to mid-wicket. Ryan Burl flies over to his left and takes a one handed blinder. The Afghan skipper misses out on a half century and walks back in disbelief.

Short, on middle, Rahmat Shah blocks it back to the bowler.

Fired in, on off, Ibrahim Zadran knocks it down the ground for a single.

Flatter, outside off, Rahmat Shah punches it through covers for a single.

Turning in, on off, Rahmat Shah pushes it to cover.

Turn and bounce, on off, Ibrahim Zadran sweeps it to square leg.

Nice and full, on off, Ibrahim Zadran blocks it back to the bowler.

Short, on off, Ibrahim Zadran tugs it to mid-wicket.

Fired in, on off, Ibrahim Zadran eases it back to the bowler.

Too full, outside off, Rahmat Shah drives it through covers for a single.

Flatter, on leg, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it to mid on for a single.

Fired in, on leg, Rahmat Shah flicks it to mid-wicket.

Turning in, on off, Ibrahim Zadran tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Quicker, on off, Rahmat Shah knocks it through mid off for a single.

Shortish, on off, Rahmat Shah punches it to the cover fielder.

Nice and full, on leg, Rahmat Shah flicks it to square leg.

A bit short, on leg, Ibrahim Zadran pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! That's a terrific shot! Drops it short, on leg, Rahmat Shah stays back and pulls it powerfully over deep mid-wicket for a bigge.

Slightly short, on off, Rahmat Shah chips it over point for a brace.

A bit short, on leg, Ibrahim Zadran tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Fullish, on off, Rahmat Shah pushes it to point for a single.

Quicker, on leg, Ibrahim Zadran digs it to mid on for a single.

Too full, on off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it to cover.

Turning in, on off, Ibrahim Zadran knocks mid on for a single.

Flatter, on leg, Rahmat Shah tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Too full, on off, Rahmat Shah pushes it to mid off.

Nice and full, on leg, Ibrahim Zadran knocks it through mid on for a single.

Quicker, on off, Ibrahim Zadran stabs it to mid off.

A bit short, on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it to mid off.

Much fuller, on off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it to cover for a single.

Flatter, on leg, Ibrahim Zadran tucks it through mid-wicket for a brace.

Turning in, on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it to cover.

Flatter, on leg, Rahmat Shah knocks it to mid on for a single.

Fullish, on off, Rahmat Shah pushes it to cover.

Much fuller, on off, Ibrahim Zadran taps it to cover for a single.

Nice and full, on off, Ibrahim Zadran eases it to cover for a single.

FOUR! That's a terrific shot! Fullish, on off, Ibrahim Zadran picks it well and tucks it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Wide! Down the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran leaves it alone.

Shortish, on off, Ibrahim Zadran blocks it back to the bowler.

Quicker, on leg, Rahmat Shah taps it to mid off.

FOUR! That's a terrific shot! Fullish, on off, Rahmat Shah drives it through covers for a boundary.

Turning in, on off, Rahmat Shah pushes it to mid off.

Short, on leg, Rahmat Shah pulls it through square leg for a single.

Good length, on off, Rahmat Shah punches it to cover.

Shaping in, on leg, Rahmat Shah taps it to short third.

Fullish, on off, Rahmat Shah pushes it to mid off.

Angling in, on leg, Rahmat Shah tucks it through mid-wicket for a brace.

Bangs it short, on off, Rahmat Shah leaves it alone. An appeal for caught behind but turned down. They refer. Ultra Edge shows no spike. The onfield decision says NOT OUT.

Shortish, on off, Rahmat Shah punches it to cover for a single.

Flatter, on off, Ibrahim Zadran eases it to mid off for one.

Quicker, on off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it to mid off.

Shortish, on leg, Rahmat Shah knocks it to mid on for a single.

Quicker, on off, Ibrahim Zadran taps it through covers for one more.

Fullish, on off, Rahmat Shah pushes it to cover for a single.

Back of a length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it to cover.

Short, on leg, Rahmat Shah pulls it to square leg for a single.

Back of a length, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it to cover for a single.

Fullish, on off, Rahmat Shah eases it to cover for a single.

Nice and full, on off, Rahmat Shah pushes it to cover.

Angling in, on off, Rahmat Shah punches it to cover.

Short, on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it to cover.

Fullish, on off, Rahmat Shah taps it to mid off for a single.

Turn and bounce, outside off, Rahmat Shah looks to block it but misses.

Fullish, on off, Rahmat Shah pushes it to cover.

Flatter, on off, Rahmat Shah slaps it to point.

Overpitched, on off, Ibrahim Zadran knocks it down the ground for a single.

Afghanistan need 58 runs in 168 balls now. Ryan Burl continues...

Slower one, outside off, Rahmat Shah drives it through covers for a brace.

Angling in, on a length, on off. Ibrahim Zadran pushes it through point for one more.

Hits the deck hard, on leg, Rahmat Shah tugs it through square leg for a single.

Shaping in, on off, Ibrahim Zadran taps it to cover for a single.

Too full, on off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it to cover.

Back of a length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran looks to punch it but edges it to third man for a brace.

Too full, on leg, Ibrahim Zadran knocks it to mid on for a single.

Quicker, outside off, Rahmat Shah cuts it through point for a single.

A bit short, on off, Rahmat Shah punches it to point.

Flatter, outside off, Rahmat Shah stabs it to point.

Fired in, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran chips it over cover for a single.

Nice and full, on off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it to cover.

Short and on off, Rahmat Shah punches this up off his toes to point for a dot.

On a length, around the pads, Ibrahim Zadran flicks this to deep square leg for a single.

On a length, around off, Ibrahim Zadran guides this to point for no run.

Short one, on middle and off, Rahmat fends this to deep square leg for a single.

Back of a length, around off, Shah pats this back to the bowler for no run.

On a length, around middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz pushes this through mid on for a single.

Flatter and fuller, around off, Shah cuts this through covers for a single.

Tossed up, on off, Zadran chips this towards wide long off for a single.

Full and on leg, Shah rolls this down to long on for a single.

Short of a length, on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran rocks back and punches this to long off for one.

Fuller on middle and off, Rahmat Shah drives this through covers for one run.

Floated into the batter, on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran punches this to extra cover.

Back of a length, around off, Ibrahim Zadran cuts this to point.

Short and on off, Zadran punches this back to the bowler.

Back of a length, on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran pulls this towards the empty space at deep mid-wicket for two runs.

Good length, on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran thumps this back to the right of the bowler.

On a length, around off, shaping away from the batter. Zadran drives this on the up and to extra cover for a dot.

Back of a length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran gets up on his toes and pats this back to the bowler.

Quicker one, on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran thumps this through mid on for a single.

Floated on off, Shah hits this down the ground for another run.

Short of a length, around off, Ibrahim Zadran rocks back and punches this to long off for a run.

Fuller around off, Rahmat Shah jumps down the track and rolls thi down to long off for a single.

Short of a length, around off, Zadran punches this to sweeper cover for a single.

Fuller on middle and off, Zadran defends it out.

DRINKS! It has been a thoroughly professional chase so far by the Afghans. The Chevrons have bowled well but they will need to break this partnership to create a little bit of an opening for themselves. With Afghanistan needing 82 runs more to win, the wicket of Ibrahim Zadran will be key to Zimbabwe as that would set butterflies in the Afghanistan camp if it comes quickly.

Back of a length, around off, Rahmat Shah keeps it out.

On a length, around off, Shah punches this in the gap for a brace.

Good length, on the pads, Ibrahim Zadran flicks this to fine leg for a single.

Back of a length, around middle and off, Rahmat Shah pulls this to the mid-wicket fielder for a single.

Good length, around off, Rahmat Shah blocks it out.

Back of a length, around off, Ibrahim Zadran punches this off his back foot to deep third for a single.

Full and on off, Rahmat drives this to short extra cover for no run.

Fuller on middle and off, Shah rolls this back to the bowler.

Floated on off, Rahmat cuts this to point.

Floated into the batter, on middle and off, Zadran chips this to long off for a single.

Fuller around the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz drives this through mid off for a single.

Short of a length, around off, Shah pushes this to extra cover for no run.

Back of a length, around the pads, Rahmat clips this on the swivel through backward square leg for a single.

Wide yorker, on off, Rahmat guides this to point for no run.

On a length, wide of off, Rahmat leaves it.

Skipper, Rahmat Shah is in at 4.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Newman Nyamhuri has his second of this contest already. Good length, around off, Atal sees the width on offer and has a wild slash at it. Gets it edged off the outside of his bat and the ball goes into the gloves of the keeper behind the stumps for a soft take.

On a length, wide of off, Ibrahim Zadran guides this to the deep third fielder for a single.

Good length, around middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes this to extra cover for a dot.

Fuller on middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal rocks behind the line of the ball and blocks it out.

Darted on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran thumps this off his back foot down to long on for a single.

Too full, into the batter, on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran flicks this to mid-wicket.

Flighted, around middle and leg, Sediqullah drills this down to long on for a run this time.

Tossed up, on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran drills this down to long on for a single.

Slider, into the batter, around middle and leg. Zadran tucks this to mid-wicket for no run.

Hard length, on the pads, Atal dabs this to the leg side for another dot.

Full and wide of off, shaping away from the batter. Atal has a poke at it but gets beaten on his outside edge.

Full toss, on off, Atal pats this back to the bowler.

On a length, angling into the batter, Ibrahim Zadran flicks this to long leg for one run.

Back of a length, around off, Zadran pats this from the inner portion of his bat to mid on for no run.

Good length, on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran tucks this to short mid-wicket for no run.

Under-cutter, on off, Ibrahim Zadran dabs this to cover-point for a single.

Tossed up, on middle and off, Atal punches this down to long on for a run.

Tossed up, on off, Atal drills this to the left of the bowler for no run.

Pushed through on off, Atal punches this to mid on for no run.

Quicker one, on middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal flicks this to mid-wicket for no run.

Floated on off, Ibrahim Zadran pats this through mid off for a single.

POWERPLAY 2! The fielding side can now have 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle until the 40th over.

On a length, on middle and leg, Atal pushes this to mid on for no run.

FOUR! Atal starts the innings with a boundary. Newman Nyamhuri errs in line and bowls this on the leg side to Atal. The batter just eases this with a tickles through the left of the short fine leg fielder for a boundary.

Sediqullah Atal is in at 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! A really soft dismissal and Gurbaz has to walk back after a good little start. Slower one, full and wide of off, Gurbaz throws his bat and almost guides this straight into the lap of Wessly Madhevere at point for a really soft dismissal.

On a length, around off, Ibrahim Zadran swings at it, gets it edged towards deep third for one.

Short and wide of off, Ibrahim Zadran cuts this to point for no run.

Pitched-up delivery, around off, Rahmat Shah chips this from the bottom of his bat towards the long off region and takes a single.

Good length, around off, Gurbaz cuts this to deep third for a single.

FOUR! Rahmanullah Gurbaz is taking the attack to the Chevrons. Inswinging fuller one, on middle and off, Gurbaz smashes this up and over his partner on the other end and the ball races past the left of the mid on fielder for a boundary.

Hard length, on middle and off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets behind the line of the ball and to the left of the bowler.

Back of a length, on middle and off, Gurbaz defends this of his front foot.

WIDE! Full and wide down the leg side. Wided.

SIX! That has been smashed out of the park. On a length, around middle and off, Gurbaz moves away to his leg side and swings through the line. Lands this behind the sight screen and down the track for a biggie.

Shaping away, outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz leaves it alone.

Slower one, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz taps it to mid off for  a quick single.

Wide! Down the leg side, Rahmanullah Gurbaz leaves it alone.

FOUR! 50 up for Afghanistan! Newman Nyamhuri bangs it short and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz swivels and pulls it powerfully through square leg for a boundary.

Too full, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz digs it back to the bowler.

FOUR! That's a good shot! Newman Nyamhuri goes full and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz latches onto it and powers it high over mid off for a boundary.

Back of a length, outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz leaves ot alone.

Beaten! Back of a length, outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz swings hard but misses.

Angling in, on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it to cover.

Nice and full, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran blocks it back to the bowler.

Back of a length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it to cover.

Much fuller, on leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz flicks it to square leg for a single.

SIX! That's a poor delivery! Blessing Muzarabani errs his line down leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz uses the pace of the ball and helps it over fine leg for a biggie.

Back of a length, on leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz fends it to mid on.

Fullish, on off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it to mid off.

Wide! Down the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran looks to flick it but misses.

An appeal but turned down! Full and on leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to flick it but the ball hits his pads and rolls towards square leg. They collect a leg bye but the bowler goes upstairs to have a check. Nothing on Ultra Edge and Ball Tracking shows that the ball was landing outside leg. The onfield decision of NOT OUT stays.

Angling in, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz eases it back to the bowler.

FOUR! That should have been stopped! Short and wide, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tries to slap it but gets a top edge. The ball lands just short of third man and races away to the fence.

Wide! Way outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz leaves. Wide called.

Fullish, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz taps it to cover.

Down the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran looks to flick it but the ball brushes his pads and rolls fine. They collect a leg bye.

Newman Nyamhuri comes into the attack.

Fullish, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz blocks it back to the bowler.

Nice and full, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz pushes it to cover.

Nice and full, on leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz flicks it to mid-wicket.

Fullish, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz stabs it back to the bowler.

Wide! Down the leg side, Rahmanullah Gurbaz leaves it alone.

Shaping in, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz blocks it back to the bowler.

In the air, safe! Short, on leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to pull it but gets a top edge. The ball flies over mid-wicket and lands safely. The batters collect two runs.

SIX! That goes all the way! Brad Evans serves it full and on leg, Ibrahim Zadran uses the pace of the ball and helps it over deep square leg for a huge six.

Good length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it to mid off.

Hits the deck hard, on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it to cover.

Nice and full, on leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz flicks it to square leg for a single.

Shaping in, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz blocks it back to the bowler.

Back of a length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it to cover for a single.

Back of a length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran knocks it to mid on for a single.

Fullish, on off, Ibrahim Zadran eases it to mid on.

Much fuller, on off, Ibrahim Zadran eases it to mid off.

FOUR! That's a poor delivery! Blessing Muzarabani errs it down the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran uses the pace of the ball and helps it through fine leg for a boundary.

Back of a length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran stabs it to mid on.

A bit fuller, on leg, Ibrahim Zadran flicks it to square leg.

Three runs! Back of a length, on leg, Ibrahim Zadran swivels and pulls it through square leg. The fielder chases as the batters collect three runs.

Too full, on off, Ibrahim Zadran eases it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Excellent from Ibrahim Zadran! Nice and full, on leg, Ibrahim Zadran picks it well and flicks it over mid-wicket as the ball races away.

Good length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran stabs it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Terrific shot! Full and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran latches onto it and flicks it in the gap through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Nice and full, on off, Ibrahim Zadran eases it to mid on.

Brad Evans to share the attack.

Back of a length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it through covers for a single.

Back of a length, angling in, Ibrahim Zadran stabs it back to the bowler.

A tad fuller, on off, Ibrahim Zadran blocks it to mid on.

Angling in, on off, Ibrahim Zadran stabs it back to the bowler.

Fullish, on leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz knocks it down the ground for a single.

A watchful start from Rahmanullah Gurbaz! Good length, outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz leaves it alone.

OUT! PLUMB! That looks pretty straight. Angling in, on a length, on middle. Wellington looks to block it but misses and wears it on his back pad. A loud appeal and the finger goes up straightaway. Wellington refers. Nothing on Ultra Edge and Ball Tracking shows three reds. Zimbabwe have been bowled out for 169 runs.

Angling in, on off, Blessing Muzarabani looks to block it but edges it to third man for a single.

Hits the deck hard, on off, Blessing Muzarabani fends it to point.

Short, on off, Wellington Masakadza punches it to cover.

Top edge, safe! Short, on off, Blessing Muzarabani looks to pull it but gets a top edge that lands safely at the front of deep mid-wicket. The batters cross.

Flatter, on leg, Blessing Muzarabani flicks it to square leg.

Quicker, on leg, Blessing Muzarabani flicks it to square leg.

Close! Short, on off, Blessing Muzarabani swings hard but misses. Somehow the ball misses the stumps and goes just over the off pole. Dot.

Short, on off, Wellington Masakadza slaps it through covers for a single.

AM Ghazanfar is back on.

Fullish, on off, Blessing Muzarabani blocks it back to the bowler.

Hits the deck hard, outside off, Blessing Muzarabani leaves it alone.

Bangs it short, on leg, Blessing Muzarabani ducks under it.

Much fuller, on off, Blessing Muzarabani taps it to cover.

Back of a length, outside off, Blessing Muzarabani has a waft at it but misses.

SIX! Well, well, that has gone all the way! Full and on off, Blessing Muzarabani latches onto it and powers it down the ground. The ball lands on the boundary cushion for a maximum.

Much fuller, on off, Wellington Masakadza taps it to cover.

A mixup but no harm done! Flatter, on off, Wellington Masakadza taps it to mid on and calls for one but there is a mixup. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. The batters make it home back in time.

Shortish, on leg, Blessing Muzarabani knocks it to mid on for a single.

Much fuller, on off, Wellington Masakadza eases it to cover for a quick single. Rashid Khan throws it toward the keeper who makes a shy at the stumps.

Flatter, on leg, Wellington Masakadza flicks it to mid-wicket.

Arm ball, a bit short, Wellington Masakadza punches it to cover.

Time for the final 10 overs. Zimbabwe's final batting pair has done really well to prolonge this innings, but the question is - can they get to a fighting total? We'll see.

FOUR! A frustrating end to another fine spell by Rashid Khan. Tossed up on the stumps, it is the googly again. Blessing Muzarabani picks it early, lunges across and whips it down to deep square leg for a boundary.

Rashid Khan was dead set on reviewing it, but he's wasted it. Flatter one around leg, pushed through at the stumps. Blessing Muzarabani gets pegged back and plays all around it, getting struck on the pads. The appeal for LBW is turned down, but Rahmat Shah does review it. Ball Tracking that the ball is marginally pitching outside leg and it stays Not Out.

Nagging length on the pads, nurdled away towards square leg.

A smidge fuller and on middle, turning back in. Muzarabani goes for the heave leg side but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Flatter this time, darted into the pads, Blessing Muzarabani tucks it down on the leg side.

Too full and on the pads, nicely clipped away wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Nagging length again, just outside off. Masakadza pushes it down to the right of the bowler, who dives across and makes a save.

Flighted delivery, held back a bit and bowledaround off. Masakadza defends it out.

Tossed up on off stump, Masakadza lunges forward to defend.

WIDE! Bowled a bit more round-armish and angled down leg. Masakadza misses the flick and the ball goes down leg, rolling to fine leg for a couple of runs. The 150 is now up for Zimbabwe.

Beaten! Quicker through the air, a bit full and outside off. Wellington Masakadza looks to drive at it but the ball beats the outside edge.

OUT! PLUMB! That looks pretty straight. Angling in, on a length, on middle. Wellington looks to block it but misses and wears it on his back pad. A loud appeal and the finger goes up straightaway. Wellington refers. Nothing on Ultra Edge and Ball Tracking shows three reds. Zimbabwe are bowled out for 169 runs.

Shorter in length, slogged away high and wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of more handy runs.

FOUR BYES! Welcome runs for Zimbabwe. Bowled really slow and drifted onto the pads. The ball turns and goes past the pads, and past the keeper as well, rolling into the fine leg fence. Rashid isn't happy with the keeper, but Rahmanullah Gurbaz asks him what he could have even done, and probably he's right.

Tossed up at the stumps, Muzarabani lunges to defend.

Ooh, that's really close to the off stump. Rashid slows it right up, floating it outside the line of off stump. Muzarabani goes for another slog sweep but is beaten by the turn and the ball ends up just missing the outside of the off stump.

A swing and a miss! Tossed up outside off, Muzarabani sets up for the slog sweep but fails to connect.

Drifted into the pads, Blessing Muzarabani plays it to the leg side.

Flatter one around off, swatted down to long on for a single.

Tossed up around off, blocked off by Muzarabani.

Half an appeal for LBW, but turned down. Probably pitching outside leg. This is bowled on a dragged length and around leg. Blessing Muzarabani rocks back to flick but plays all around it and wears it on the pads.

Bowled from around the wicket, floated up around off. Blessing Muzarabani plays it back to the bowler.

Flighted up around off, Blessing blocks it off.

No run, played towards mid wicket.

In the air, but will fall short. Dragged length around off, Wellington Masakadza rocks back to pull and slices it high over mid off. The fielder from the deep comes in but the ball falls well short and a single is taken.

That's a good review and Blessing Muzarabani lives to fight another day. A wrong'un, relatively full and darting back in from off stump. Muzarabani hops onto the back foot but gets pegged in front of the stumps and gets struck on the pad. There is a huge appeal for LBW, and the finger is raised. The third umpire is called in and Ball Tracking shows that the ball would have just gone over the stumps. Not Out.

Nagging length around off, turning away a bit. Masakadza edges it down with soft hands towards short third and picks up a single.

Pushed through flatter again, angling it across off. Masakadza hops back and jams it down to the right of the bowler, who dives across to make a stop.

Flatter and drifted into the pads, worked away just behind square leg for a single.

Tossed up on off and middle, Blessing Muzarabani gets half a stride forward and blocks it off.

Bowled into the pitch and pushed just down the leg side. No wide called.

Good length, sliding it back into the stumps. Masakadza backs away and cuts it hard towards cover-point.

Floated up, in and around off, Muzarabani squeezes it off the outside edge and in front of point for a quick single.

A bit flatter, sliding it into the front pad. Blessing Muzarabani leans on and blocks it off.

Nagging length at the stumps, kept out by Muzarabani.

On a dragged length, turning back in a long way from off stump. Muzarabani stays back and plays all over it, getting hit high on the pads.

Short ball over off stump, Masakadza pulls it off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Wow, how has that missed the stumps? Another big googly, tossed up just outside off. Blessing Muzarabani goes down on one knee and throws the kitchen sink at the slog sweep, but misses and the ball goes a whisker over the off stump.

Tossed up wide outside off, and this is the attempted googly. Blessing Muzarabani has a poke at it but misses.

Blessing Muzarabani is the last man in for Zimbabwe.

OUT! CAUGHT! Rashid Khan does get the last laugh in his battle with Sikandar Raza, and has three wickets to his name now. Khan tosses this one up on off stump, not all that full. Raza steps out and looks to go big but loses his shape. The ball gets sliced over mid off and Ibrahim Zadran comes in from the fence to take a safe reverse-cup catch. Afghanistan are just one wicket away from bowling Zimbabwe out now.

Flatter now, on a dragged length and at the stumps. Raza keeps it out.

Change of ball as the previous one is lost.

SIX! That's some strike by Sikandar Raza, but he's feeling the cramps a bit more after that shot. Tossed up at the stumps, Raza sits down and slog-sweeps it, smoking the ball over deep square leg and out of the ground as well.

Fuller one, tossed up on middle and leg. Raza plays it off the inside edge to square leg.

Floated up on the stumps, holds a bit in the deck. Masakadza punches it out to mid on.

Slower through the air, slanted into the pads. Masakadza nudges it gently to the on side.

On a length and around off, kept out off the back foot this time by Masakadza.

Bowled from wider on the crease, sliding it in at the stumps. Masakadza blocks it off again.

Darted in at the stumps, fairly full. Wellington Masakadza watchfully blocks it off.

Dragged shorter over middle, this is pulled off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Wellington Masakadza is the next batter in. Also, Raza has the physio out again in between overs as he continues to struggle with cramps.

OUT! TIMBER! That's special from Rashid Khan and another one bites the dust for Zimbabwe, leaving them in tatters at 130/8. Rashid brings out the leg-break now, tossing it up full on off and middle. Newman Nyamhuri leans on to flick it leg side, but the ball dips right in front and then turns away past the outside edge to smash into the off stump. Actually, Rashid bowled this one from a couple of yards behind the stumps.

A googly now, tossed up at the stumps. Nyamhuri gets forward and manages to block it off.

Drifted onto the pads a bit, Raza nurdles it to the leg side and this time, he takes the single, leaving Nyamhuri with 2 balls to keep out.

Tossed up at the stumps, Raza leans on and pushes it to wide mid on, and denies the single again.

Held back a bit, flighted up around off, Raza watchfully defends.

Flatter googly on off, turns in a bit. Raza works it into the open space to the right of mid-wicket but doesn't take the single.

This is not good news for Zimbabwe, as Sikandar Raza keeps feeling the heat. He looks drenched in sweat and the physio is out, handing him some sort of medicine so that he can continue. How long can the Zimbabwe skipper keep going? His team is in a position of peril, and he would not want to walk off the field unless there's no way to continue further. For now, Raza is going to fight it out in the middle.

Lovely delivery. Floated up outside off, inviting a drive and this one just holds its line, going a few inches away from the batter, and beating the outside edge.

Half an appeal for LBW, turned down. Pushed through a bit quicker and on middle, turning it in. Nyamhuri leans on and is beaten past the inside edge, getting hit on the pads. Probably sliding down leg.

Nicely flighted, on off. Newman Nyamhuri leans on to flick but gets an inside edge to short fine leg.

On the shorter side again, Raza backs away and hits it square through the off side for a single.

Fractionally short and over middle, punched off the back foot but straight to short mid-wicket.

Good length outside off, sliding back on. Raza stays back and smacks it down to cover.

Newman Nyamhuri is in at number 9 for Zimbabwe.

OUT! LBW! Rashid Khan doesn't even look back and continues his celebration as the umpire's finger goes up. However, Brad Evans has reviewed it. Another googly from Rashid, landing it on a nagging length and just outside off. Evans gets pushed onto the back foot as the ball turns in and beats the inside edge to hit the top of the right pad. The third umpire has a quick look at it. There's nothing on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking comes up with three reds. The on-field decision stands and Zimbabwe are now 128/7. Rashid does strike in his 250th international match, and he is delighted with it.

Short ball, turning it in. Sikandar Raza rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Flighted delivery outside off, this is eased through the off side for a single.

Tossed up at the stumps, blocked off by Evans.

Oh, Sikandar Raza was struggling big time there, and a direct hit would have certainly sent him packing. Shorter on middle, angled to the left of short fine leg. Raza looks for the single but initially Brad Evans is a bit hesitant. However, he does go through and Raza then has to scamper to the other end.

Tossed up on middle, slightly into the pitch. Raza leans on and gets a leading edge that goes well short of the bowler

Rashid Khan is back on.

No run there, and it will be a wicket-maiden for Mohammad Nabi. Floated up outside off, Brad Evans squeezes it away behind point and looks for a single but Raza sends him back.

Nicely flighted on off and middle, Evans lunges ahead to block.

Dragged length, at just 75.6 kph and outside off. Evans stays back and keeps it out.

Floated fuller and on middle, Evans eases it to mid on.

DRINKS! Time for a proper hydration break. Sikandar Raza is still fighting it out there in the middle, and for quite a while, he found an able partner in the form of Ryan Burl to share the burden. However, Zimbabwe have lost a couple of quick wickets, and it is the veteran Mohammad Nabi who has once again given Afghanistan the upper hand. With plenty of overs still left, it will be interesting to see what the final score will be. Also, Brad Evans walks out to bat now, and he's probably the last recognized batter in this lineup.

OUT! STUMPED! That's stunning work from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Mohammad Nabi drags the length back, sliding it in from outside off at a very gentle pace. Wessly Madhevere is down the pitch again, looking to flick it away but is beaten in flight. The ball goes on to clip the thigh pad and lobs to the right of the keeper. Gurbaz springs across to his right, pouches it with the outstretched glove and throws it back onto the stumps with Madhevere nowhere to be found. According to the on-air commentators, this is Nabi's 300th international wicket.

Flighted up at the stumps, Madhevere steps out and nudges it on the bounce to the short mid-wicket fielder.

A bumper now, pitching it over middle and slanting it across a bit. Raza hangs back, leans behind a bit and looks to ramp but misses.

Back of a length and outside off, Madhevere presses back and angles it down to the right of deep third for another single.

Pace off again, a tad shorter and on the pads. This is worked away behind square leg for a single.

SIX! Excellent adjustment from Raza. Slower one, pitched up around off. Sikandar Raza skips down the track, and is nearly undone by the lack of pace, but holds back for a second more befoe unleashing a heave over wide long on, picking up six runs.

Looking for two, but they won't get it. A skiddy bumper over middle, slower too. Madhevere controls the pull well and gets it down in front of square leg for a single.

On a hard length around off, angling it back in. Madhevere blocks it off.

Short of a length, sliding into the batter. Raza hangs back and jams it out.

Tossed up around off, Wessly Madhevere eases it through wide mid on and picks up a single.

Wessly Madhevere is the next batter in. The players also take this opportunity to rehydrate, especially Sikandar Raza.

OUT! CAUGHT! Mohammad Nabi does get his man eventually, and the 60-run stand is broken. Nabi drags the length short, sliding it down leg and this is there to be hit. Ryan Burl doesn't go for the full-blooded pull and just tries to help it behind square leg. The timing it good and the ball flies over backward square leg. Bilal Sami comes charging in from the deep and puts in a lunging dive to pouch it well, and even hangs on to it when his elbows thud into the turf.

FIFTY for the Zimbabwe skipper, and this has been a real fighting knock from Sikandar Raza. Full and straight, swept down to deep backward square leg for a single. This is Raza's 27th ODI half-century.

Tossed up at the stumps, eased back down the pitch by Raza.

Clean tackle from Nabi! Floated up at the stumps, Raza gets forward and eases it towards the non-striker. Nabi moves across to his right and sticks out a right leg, pushing the ball to short mid-wicket and also tumbling Burl in the process. Raza stays on 49.

Good length, around the top of off. Burl stays upright and solidly blocks it to cover. A string of five dots to end the over from Farooqi.

A skiddy, length ball at the stumps, Burl blocks it off.

Nice change-up from Farooqi. Slower one, bowled full and outside off, cutting back in a bit. Burl looks to cover drive but is well beaten.

Pitched up on middle, Burl punches it back down the track and towards the non-striker. Sikandar Raza dramatically tries to get out of the way and even ends up flat on the deck, seeking respite from the heat, but Farooqi gets a hand on the ball and it doesn't even reach Raz.

Good length in the channel, Ryan Burl stands tall and punches it out to cover.

Short of a good length, over middle, and pushed down to mid on for a single.

Fazalhaq Farooqi returns to the attack.

Good length on middle, played off the back foot and down to long on for a single.

DROPPED! Ibrahim Zadran spills what should have been a regulation chance, and instantly points to the lights to save himself from a blemish. Flighted up on off stump, Burl skips down the track and slices the lofted shot down to long off. Zadran comes charging in from the deep and eventually has to reverse-cup it around his head, ending up shelling it. Single taken.

Mohammad Nabi is now down on his haunches for a moment. It seems like everyone is feeling the heat out there.

Tossed up around off, eased away through the off side for a single.

A full ball down leg, Raza sits down and sweeps it straight to backward square leg, unable to believe that he hasn't found the gap there.

Slower one outside off, Sikandar Raza rocks back and powers it away wide to the right of deep cover, racing back for a couple of runs. Raza is labouring out there and conditions look very humid.

Flatter one on a length, sliding it in with a round-arm, on off. Burl makes room and hits it to sweeper cover for a single.

Good running again. Flatter delivery on off, Burl stabs it down to cover and scampers through for another single.

Quicker one, darted into middle and leg. Raza gets pegged back and jams it off the inside edge through backward square leg for a single.

Good length around off, punched away past point for a single.

Nicely bowled. Nagging length on off, squaring up the batter. Ryan Burl has a poke at it and gets an outside edge that goes wide of the slip fielder and runs down to deep third for a couple of runs more.

Full again, outside off and this is smacked down to long on for a single.

Nice and full around off, squeezed away off the outside edge down to backward point.

Fullish length around off, Burl goes back to a fuller one and tries to drive but edges it down through the vacant short third region for a couple of runs. 100 up for Zimbabwe.

Good length over middle, punched off the back foot and down to long on for one more.

Slow and short, wide outside off, cut away firmly to deep point for a single.

Looks like that dive hurt Ryan Burl a bit and the physio is out to have a look. Thankfully, Burl is fine and good to continue.

Risky single! Nagging length, sliding it in with the arm from outside off. Sikandar Raza rocks back and dabs it down to point. The batters decide late to go for the single and Bilal Sami attacks the ball well, underarming a throw to the keeper. Rahmanullah Gurbaz whips of the bails as Burl dives in, and replays show that he is safe.

Slower through the air again, floated up at the stumps. Raza leans on to block.

Slower and a bit shorter outside off, Raza backs away and slaps it down to extra cover.

Mohammad Nabi comes into the attack now, replacing AM Ghazanfar.

Tossed up, full and straight, driven down to long on for a single. 7 off the over.

Flatter delivery at the stumps, Raza watchfully blocks it off.

FOUR! Rashid has been a bit all over the place so far in this game. Well short and down leg, Sikandar Raza half-pulls it down to deep backward square leg and picks up another boundary.

Rashid now bowls this one from behind the stumps, tossing it on the stumps. Burl eases it down to long on for a run.

Around the wicket to the left-hander, darting it in from outside off. Burl stays back and cuts it to the point fielder.

Tossed up on the stumps, Raza shows the full face of the blade and drives it past the diving bowler, to his right and down to long on for a single.

Five off the over, and these two are now starting to tick along rather nicely. Nice and full, outside off. Raza leans on and pushes it through wide mid off for another single.

Flatter and on the pads, tucked away neatly past square leg for one more.

Good hustle from the batters. Tossed up on off, Raza leans on and eases it towards wide mid off. Rashid Khan scampers across from extra cover and slides to his right but can't cut it off. Single taken.

Short of a length and over middle. This is pulled off the back foot and down to cow corner for a run.

Nagging length around off, turns back in a bit. Burl hangs back to cut, but ends up chopping it back down the track.

Fuller one, angled well into the pads. Raza takes the front leg out and hits it down to long on for a single.

Flatter delivery around the pads, Burl nurdles it into the leg side.

FOUR! This time Burl does find the gap. Floated up a bit wide of the off stump. Burl lunges across and hammers it square through covers for a boundary. This partnership now moves to 29 runs.

Tossed up outside off, this is hit away straight to cover.

Beaten! A quicker wrong'un that turns, Burl has a poke at it outside his off stump but the ball goes past the outside edge.

Flatter one, on a dragged length and on middle. Raza rocks back and plays it down with a vertical bat towards long on for a single.

A googly, at 86.2 kph and floated up on off. Raza gets forward to block.

Lobbed up, way too full and wide outside off. Burl smacks the square drive to the fielder inside the ring at cover.

Flicked from the front of the hand again, too full and outside off. Ryan Burl drills the drive wide of deep cover for another brace.

An appeal for LBW, but it is turned down. No review is taken as it did seem to be going down leg. The crrom ball now, flighted up on off, sliding it back in. Burl looks to cogver drive but is well beaten and gets hit on the back leg.

Quicker one from around the wicket, bowled well short and from the front of the hand. Burl hammers it away wide of deep cover and picks up two runs.

A bit more flighted, on leg stump, Burl leans on and caresses it to mid on.

On a length, pitching it outside the line of leg stump. Burl looks to whip it away but misses and gets hit on the pads.

AM Ghazanfar switches ends now.

Nagging length, pitching it around leg at 86 kph. Burl works it away to the left of mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Flatter one on middle and leg, Burl nudges it across to mid-wicket.

Floated up outside off, and this is driven away off the outside half of the blade and through backward point for a couple of runs.

Slightly tossed up, around off. Raza goes down to slog sweep but miscues it behind square leg for a single.

Full and flat, landing it on the popping crease on off stump. Raza is late on it and has to jam the bat down to keep it out.

Rashid starts with a fuller one on off, pushing it through quicker. Raza gets half a stride in to block it off.

It's time for Rashid Khan. He replaces AM Ghazanfar in the attack.

FOUR! A rare loose ball, and Zimbabwe get a boundary after nearly 5 overs. Fuller and sliding down leg, Ryan Burl flicks it away fine of fine leg and picks up four runs.

Slower one outside off, steered down to deep third for a single.

Length ball on off and middle, Sikandar Raza swings across the line, but this is more of an agricultural heave, coming off the inside half of the blade. The ball rolls towards square leg, and Azmatullah Omarzai cuts it off running to his right, keeping it down to two runs.

Good length on off. Raza keeps the bat face slightly open and plays it late, tapping it down to point.

Hard length around off, Raza plays it close to the body, pushing it down between point and cover and looks for a single, but Burl sends him back.

Short of a length, pitched wide of the off stump. Raza stands tall and slaps it down to the mid off fielder.

Slower now, a tad shorter, and on middle. Raza rocks back, waits well and smcks it down to long on for another single.

Flatter one outside off, cut away to deep point for a run.

Ghazanfar sees Burl charging and shortens the length, sliding it into the pads. Burl looks to whip it through the leg side but misses and wears it on the thigh pad.

Shorter on middle, angling in. Raza rocks back and works it to the right of mid-wicket, where Hashmatullah Shahidi chases after it and keeps it down to a single.

A loopy delivery now, floated up full and wide outside off. Sikandar Raza drills the drive along the turf but finds the fielder at cover.

Flighted up on middle and leg, Raza leans on and drives it to mid on.

That nearly snuck through. Full-pitched delivery on off, angling in a bit. Burl looks to cover drive but gets an inside edge onto the back leg.

Back of a length and outside off, Ryan Burl swats the pull down to mid on.

A bit shorter and around off, Raza leans back and stays low, angling it off the face of the bat to deep third for a single.

That's gone nowhere. Hard length outside off, bowling it into the pitch. Raza hangs back and swings across the line but gets a big inside edge onto the pads, and the ball trickles away towards the vacant short leg region.

Back of a length and wide outside off. This is cut away through backward point for a single.

Pitched full of a good length, just outside off. Burl tucks it with the angle and towards mid-wicket.

DRINKS! Afghanistan have dominated proceedings early in this final, but there's still a long way to go. Sikandar Raza is out there fighting it out for his team, and there are a couple of more all-rounders to come after this pair. However, with Rashid Khan yet to bowl, Afghanistan are really well placed and will look to keep Zimbabwe well under the 200-run mark from here. There's a bit of a hold-up in resumption of play as there is a problem with the sight screen, but it gets sorted quickly and we can get back to the action.

Floated up around off, eased away square through the off side for a single.

Tossed up again, straighter in line. Burl skips down the track and gets a bit too forward, having to dig it out on the full.

Tossed up on off, drifting in a bit. Burl leans on to defend.

A slider now, angled into the pads. Raza rocks back to flick but gets an inside edge off the pads and collects a single as the ball rolls bhind square leg.

Full of a length, on the stumps and dipping on the batter. Raza hangs back and defends it ight under his eyes.

Nagging length, flatter at almost 95 clicks, and darted into middle and leg. Raza dabs it to the on side.

Good length, on middle and off. Ryan Burl solidly blocks it to extra cover. End of a succesful over for Bilal Sami.

Sami hits the deck hard, bowling it around the top of middle and off. Burl stays back and smacks it down to mid on.

Back of a length and around off, slower too. Raza hangs back and guides it down to deep third for one more.

Shorter now, angled across off. Burl presses back and edges it down to deep third for a single.

Good length around off, played off the front foot and punched away sweetly to cover.

Ryan Burl is in next.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! That's a poor dismissal and Brendan Taylor will be kicking himself here. Bilal Sami bowls it short and wide, with a hint of away movement. It is there to be hit and Taylor throws his hands at it, only managing an outside edge through to the keeper. Rahmanullah Gurbaz takes a good catch to his right and this budding stand is broken. Zimbabwe are now 55/4.

SIX! Wow, the hang time on that was glorious. Darted in, full and straight, Sikandar Raza stays deep and gets under the ball, whacking it high and handsome over cow corner for a biggie. 50 up for Zimbabwe.

Flighted ball, not all that full and on off. Raza blocks it off.

Floated up, full and straight. Taylor eases it towards mid on, and the short mid-wicket fielder cannot quite cut it off, diving to his left andTaylor picks up a single.

Too full, drifted into the legs. Taylor ends up nearly flicking it straight into the hands of the short mid-wicket fielder.

Fired in, full and straight. Raza drives it down to long on and rotates strike.

Nagging length, attacking middle. Taylor leans on and taps it to the left of the short mid-wicket fielder and picks up a single.

A change from both ends now, as AM Ghazanfar comes into the attack.

Short of a length, hitting the deck hard and outside off. Raza presses up on his toes and hits it down to cover.

Full and straight, Taylor leans on and punches it through the legs of the non-striker. The mid on fielder scampers across and makes a half stop as Taylor pinches a single.

Back of a length, tighter around off. Raza cuts it late and off the cue end of the blade, down to deep third for a single.

FOUR! Living dangerously is the Zimbabwe skipper. Hard length wide outside off, no foot movement from Raza as he just throws his hands at it and gets an inside edge past the stumps. The ball rolls away into the fine leg fence.

Just over. Back of a length, darted back into the batter. Raza gets cramped form room but goes through with the short-arm jav, mistiming it over the mid-wicket fielder for a couple of runs.

Pitched up wide of the off stump, Brendan Taylor goes after it and gets a thick outside edge down to deep third and picks up a single.

Powerplay 1 is done, and Afghanistan are right on top here. The field can now spread, but Rahmat Shah might look to attack for a few more overs. Also, Bilal Sami now comes in to bowl, replacing Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Good-length delivery, wide of the off stump. Raza leaves it alone. Zimbabwe are 37/3 after the first 10 overs.

Full of a good length, seams back in towards middle. Taylor leans on and flicks it behind square leg for a single.

Full-pitched delivery, hammering it right on the popping crease on off. Taylor digs it out to mid on.

Length again, a bit shorter and on the pads, worked away through mid-wicket for a single by Raza.

Hard length on off, slants back in. Raza nudges it across to the leg side.

On a good length, hitting the deck hard, Taylor tucks it down between square leg and mid-wicket, turning the strike over.

A dehydrated Fazalhaq Farooqi is seen going off the field, and Nangeyalia Khan is on as the substitute fielder.

Good length around middle, cutting back in. Taylor tucks it down to fine leg for a single. Fazalhaq Farooqi seems pretty famished here and this might be the last over of his current spell.

Slower one, floated up at the stumps. Raza gets inside the line and dabs it through backward square leg for a run.

Good length, attacking the stumps, Raza tucks it across to mid-wicket.

FOUR! A bit risky, but that's well played. Full and angled back in a long way towards middle and leg. Sikandar Raza exposes the leg stump as he gets across and leans on before flicking it up and over the square leg region for a welcom boundary.

Slower delivery, floating it up around off and getting some shape into the right-hander. Raza gets well forward, nearly gets yorked, but manages to toe-end it towards mid on.

Back of a length, sliding it in from outside off. Raza gets well outside his crease and blocks it off with soft hands.

Pitched up well wide of the off stump and going straight on. Brendan Taylor leaves it alone.

Wider on the crease and shaping the ball into the pads. Sikandar Raza clips it down to deep backward square leg and picks up a single.

Full of a good length, in that corridor of uncertainty. Raza hops to the off side and covers the line well to defend.

A tad fuller, hitting the deck hard and around the fifth-stump line. Raza hangs back a bit and stabs it down towards gully.

Another outswinger, on a good length and around off. Raza tentatively blocks it off the front foot.

Full and wide outside off, a hint of outswing on it. Raza strides across and makes a leave.

Back of a length and wide outside off, Sikandar Raza looks to come down the track, but adjusts and angles it down to deep third for a single. Wickets in three consecutive overs for Afghanistan now.

A big inswinger now, relatively full and angled in at the stumps. Sikandar Raza gets forward and manages to block it back down the pitch.

Sikandar Raza walks out to bat next.

OUT! CAUGHT! That is a stunner of a catch from AM Ghazanfar, and Afghanistan can do no wrong at the moment. After three wide deliveries, Fazalhaq Farooqi slides one in full and at the pads. Tafadzwa Tsiga flicks it away but slightly in the air and firmly to the right of square leg. However, Ghazanfar just springs across and sticks out his right hand, managing to cling on brilliantly. 22/0 has now quickly become 26/3 for Zimbabwe.

Pushed even wider now, full and hugging the tramline outside off. Tsiga leaves it alone.

Pitched up around the sixth-stump line, Tsiga leaves, and the ball swings a bit after leaving the batter.

Beaten! Full of a good length, angled in from outside off, and this one holds its line a bit. Tafadzwa Tsiga has a feel for it and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Brendan Taylor walks out to bat with Zimbabwe in some early trouble.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! This was coming, and for the second game running, Azmatullah Omarzai takes a brilliant return catch. Omarzai pitches the ball up on off, and angles it in, but takes some pace off it. Brian Bennett leans on and looks to drive straight and on the up, but there's some hold in the pitch. Bennett skews it off the inside half of the blade, and Omarzai just sticks out a right hand in his followthrough, snaffling it brilliant to close out a wicket-maiden over. Zimbabwe are now 26/2.

Five dots in the over. Short of a good length, over off and middle, wristed down to the man at silly mid on.

Pitched up a bit, just outside off, a bit slower too. Bennett gets forward and blocks it off. Omarzai has bowled 9 straight dot balls to Bennett now.

Gets away with that one, does Omarzai. Full and wide outside off, Bennett goes after it but laces the drive straight to cover-point.

On a hard length, in and around off. Bennett stands tall and pats it down to mid off.

A silly mid on is in place now. There is also a regular mid on. Afghanistan on the attack.

Back of a length and over off, looking to angle it back in. Bennett stays back and flicks it to mid-wicket.

Full of a good length, shaping back in quite a bit from wide of the off stump. Tsiga gets on the front foot and taps it to short extra cover. 9 runs and a wicket off that over.

Sweetly struck, but Tsiga finds the fielder. Full and outside off, Tsiga leans on and drives it straight to Sediqullah Atal at short extra cover.

Bowled from around the wicket now, looking for the one that straightens but this is bowled a fair bit wide of the off stump. Tsiga leaves it alone.

FOUR! Farooqi looks to swing it back into the right-hander as well, but misses his mark and pays the price. Full and swinging into the pads, Tafadzwa Tsiga flicks it nicely through square leg and the ball races away to the fence.

Tafadzwa Tsiga walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! TIMBER! When Fazalhaq Farooqi gets it right, it always looks so good. Farooqi bowls a big in-dipper, pitching it a bit full and outside off, and gets it to swing back in a fair bit, pretty late too. Tadiwanashe Marumani is caught back on the crease and plays all around a straight one. The ball sneaks past the blade and makes a mess of the stumps behind. Zimbabwe are now 22/1 after 4.2 overs.

WIDE! Skiddy length, but again, this is slipped down the leg side. Marumani looks to tickle it away but misses.

FOUR! Wrong line from Farooqi. A slower ball, full and on the pads, but there's no one at square leg or at deep mid-wicket. Tadiwanashe Marumani clips it away in front of square leg and the ball trickles away into the fence.

Five straight dots to close out another tidy over by Omarzai. Just back of a length, hitting the top of off. Bennett dabs it down towards silly mid on.

On a good length, slanted back in towards the stumps. Bennett shows the full face of the blade and punches it down to the left of mid on, where the fielder gets around quickly and makes the stop.

Pitched full and outside off, shaping it away a wee bit. Brian makes a leave.

Another inside edge, indicating the slow nature of the deck. Hard length outside off, Bennett stays back and plays away from the body, getting an inside edge onto the pads.

Good length, in the channel, and Bennett looks to play on the up. However, the ball comes sluggishly off the deck and the inside edge is found.

A tad shorter and wide of the off stump, Marumani hangs back and eases it to the left of deep backward point for a run.

Ooh, the inside edge saves Brian Bennett here. Skiddy length, in and around off and shaping back in at 129.2 kph. Bennett is caught on the crease and jars at it, getting an inside edge onto the back leg.

The length is pulled back a bit, pitching it on middle and leg. Bennett blocks it back to the bowler.

On the money again from Farooqi. Full and around off, this one swings back in towards middle stump. Marumani jams the bat down and gets an inside edge down to fine leg for a single.

Some genuine swing this time. Full of a good length, angling back in sharply. Marumani goes hard at the heave again and ends up jamming it off the inside edge to mid-wicket.

Pitched full and straight now, Marumani looks to heave it through mid-wicket, but ends up smearing it away through the vacant square leg region for a couple of runs.

Pitched fuller on off, trying to swing it away. Marumani solidly blocks it off the front foot.

Tidy start by Omarzai, just a single off it. Heavy length, a bit straighter and angling in. Brian Bennett tucks it down to mid-wicket, where the fielder fumbles but no single is taken.

The attempted inswinger, on a hard length and pushing it in from outside off. Brian Bennett defends it to cover.

Omarzai goes wider on the crease, darting the ball in towards off and middle. Bennett stays in his crease and blocks it under the eyes.

Shorter in length, pretty straight too. Marumani gets on his toes and turns it to the left of mid-wicket for a single.

Good length on leg, Marumani looks to nudge it leg side but closes the bat face early and gets a leading edge down to cover.

No movement in the air. Full of a good length, in and around off. Marumani presses back a bit to block it out.

Azmatullah Omarzai to begin with the other new ball.

FOUR! Uppish, but nailed in the gap again, and Zimbabwe are off to a flier. Good length, again wide outside off. Bennett throws his hands at it and smacks it through cover-point for another boundary. 12 off the first over.

FOUR! That's been pummeled to the fence. Farooqi comes around the wicket and bowls a wide half-volley, and Bennett obliges by creaming it past covers for a boundary.

A crunching drive, but straight to the fielder. Nice and full, around the fifth stump, Brian Bennett gets forward and nails it to the cover fielder.

Great commitment from Rashid Khan to save a run for his side, but that's a fine shot from Tadiwanashe Marumani. Pitched up around off, shaping it away, Marumani leans on and caresses it through extra cover and picks up three runs.

Bennett and Zimbabwe are off the mark. Full and wide again, Bennett goes after the wide one and edges it through the vacant gully region, down to deep third and picks up a single.

A bit of swing away! Full and pushed wide of the off stump, Brian Bennett expects the inswinger and goes for the cover drive, but the ball angles past the outside edge.

Done with the pre-match proceedings, the game can now get underway. The umpires are out in the middle, and so are the players of Afghanistan, who gather around in a huddle before spreading out on the field. It will be Tadiwanashe Marumani to open the innings alongside Brian Bennett for Zimbabwe. Fazalhaq Farooqi is back and has the new ball in hand. Let's go...

We are just a few minutes away from the start of the game. But first, the series trophy is presented in the middle, with the officials around it. Then, the two sets of players line up for their respective national anthems. First up, it will be the national anthem of Zimbabwe, followed by that of Afghanistan.

In conversation with Zimbabwe's speedster - Blessing Muzarabani says that he knows the pitch here in Sharjah is going to be different to the one in Abu Dhabi, but feels that there will be something in it for the bowlers. He then talks about his bowling partner and mentions that Brad Evans has been bowling really well and he likes to form a partnership with him. Blessing also feels that the surface will relaively play good andit will be important to keep hitting the right areas.

A chat with the milestone man - On playing his 250th international game, Rashid Khan says that it is a massive moment in his career to reach this milestone for Afghanistan and feels that the journey has been a memorable one, and the highlight of this journey was reaching the semifinal of the 2024 T20 World Cup amongst others. Khan then says that Sharjah is a very happy place for him to play cricket at and feels that the ground is a very historic venue and remembers that he played his first live game here. He further mentions that you need to be consistent and hit the right areas on this pitch and not necessarily try to do any different.

PITCH REPORT - Former Sri Lankan all-rounder, Farveez Maharoof, is pitchside and says that it is the same surface that was used in the previous game. Feels like it is a bit warmer today and there's a nice sheen on the deck, which itself is pretty dry. He also mentions that, on closer inspection, the wicket looks hard and the ball will slide onto the bat in the second innings. Maharoof concludes by saying that anything around 240 could be a very defendable score on this wicket.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah (C), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Bilal Sami, and Fazalhaq Farooqi (In for Yamin Ahmadzai).

Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (In for Ben Curran), Tafadzwa Tsiga, Brendan Taylor (WK), Sikandar Raza (C), Wessly Madhevere, Ryan Burl, Brad Evans, Newman Nyamhuri (In for Ernest Masuku), Wellington Masakadza, and Blessing Muzarabani.

The skipper of Afghanistan - Rahmat Shah says that they wanted to bowl first anyway, so he's glad that it worked out. Adds that they want to improve in the middle phase, and he wants to keep contributing. Informs that they have made one change to the side, as Yamin Ahmadzai goes out and Fazalhaq Farooqi. Shah ends by saying that he isn't too worried about the Powerplay bowling and just want to keep attacking the stumps.

The captain of Zimbabwe - Sikandar Raza says that they will bat first because there wasn't much dew in the last game. Adds that surfaces in the UAE present a different challenge, but feels that his team is confident of doing well. He informs that they have been hit with a few injuries and Ben Curran misses out, creating an opportunity for young Tadiwanashe Marumani, and Newman Nyamhuri is back in the playing XI, making it a total of two changes.

TOSS - Toss time in Sharjah. Rahmat Shah and Sikandar Raza are out there in the middle. Raza calls it correctly. Zimbabwe will BAT first.

Zimbabwe looking for revenge - A few days ago in Abu Dhabi, Zimbabwe were treated to a masterclass by their opponents, but Sikandar Raza and co will be eager to tweak a few things and make a real match out of this final as they continue to build up to a home World Cup next year. The toss and team sheets will be up in a bit, so stay tuned.

Hosts looking unbeatable - Afghanistan have already picked up huge wins over Bangladesh and also Zimbabwe in this series, thanks to their solid batting and impeccable bowling. Rashid Khan has been in scintillating form and skipper Rahmat Shah too seems to be leading from the front, eager to make it 7 wins out of 7 since taking the reins from Hashmatullah Shahidi.

Bring on the finale - Hello, and welcome to the Final of the UAE tri-series in Sharjah. Hosts Afghanistan are all set to take on Zimbabwe in the summit clash of this short but exciting series as the preparation for next year's ODI World Cup continues in full swing.

... MATCH DAY ...

Sharjah showdown - A trophy, a rematch and a point to prove as Afghanistan and Zimbabwe contest the final of the ODI tri-series in Sharjah. Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 158 runs in the league stage, then beat Bangladesh by 7 wickets to book their place. Zimbabwe’s route was less convincing. They registered a 99-run win over Bangladesh in their opener, followed by a heavy defeat to Afghanistan, but Bangladesh’s defeat in the last league game meant that the Chevrons made it through to the final. Depth in the order - The top order has done the heavy lifting. Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal laid the platform against Zimbabwe, but Rahmanullah Gurbaz is yet to hit his stride, and there would be no better occasion for it than the final. Afghanistan were 190/2 and looked set for a 300-plus score, but regular wickets pulled them back to 294. The one flaw to watch is converting a strong start into a big total. The depth is there to do it, with Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah steadying the middle order and Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi able to provide the fireworks at the end. Rashid leads the charge - If the batting has given Afghanistan a platform, the bowling has made them favourites. Rashid Khan has been the standout, with 4/17 against Zimbabwe and another four-wicket haul against Bangladesh, and his control through the middle overs is a big threat to a Zimbabwe line-up that struggled to build partnerships. Fazalhaq Farooqi’s new-ball spell left Zimbabwe 33/3 inside 10 overs, and the attack has other options in Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar’s spin and Nabi’s experience. Against Bangladesh, Yamin Ahmadzai and Azmatullah Omarzai took two wickets each, which shows they do not rely on Rashid alone. The top-order question - Zimbabwe’s batting will decide how close this final gets. They can certainly post a total, as they showed with 271 against Bangladesh, which gave them enough to defend. The problem came against Afghanistan, when early wickets left them at 43/4 in a chase of 295 and they never really recovered. Craig Ervine, Zimbabwe’s Player of the Match in the win over Bangladesh, missed that game with an injury, and the Chevrons will hope for his return. If Ben Curran and Brian Bennett can see off the new ball, the likes of Brendan Taylor and Sikandar Raza can play with freedom. Needing an early spark - Zimbabwe’s bowling has been a story of two halves. They defended 271 comfortably against Bangladesh, winning by 99 runs, but against Afghanistan the attack struggled to make an early impact. Sikandar Raza’s off-spin could be crucial in the middle overs, especially if the surface offers some assistance, while Muzarabani and Evans will be expected to make the most of the new ball. Newman Nyamhuri missed the Afghanistan game with an injury, and the Chevrons will want him back, as he brings an X factor with his left-arm angle. Form (Last 5 completed ODIs, recent first) - AFG - WWWWW | ZIM - LWLLL. Adapt quickly or fall behind - If the only game so far in the tri-series in Sharjah is anything to go by, expect slow and low conditions, with run-scoring hard to come by. Zimbabwe have played both of their games in Abu Dhabi, so the challenge for them will be to adapt to the conditions, and to do it quickly. That gives Afghanistan a bit of an advantage, having played one game here previously. Zimbabwe have also lost all three of their ODIs this year while chasing, so if they win the toss, their preference might well be to bat first. Afghanistan arrive with the momentum and the form, while Zimbabwe come with something to prove, so the final has the makings of a good contest. Who are you rooting for?