Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, AFG in ZIM, 3 ODIs, 2024 Full score card

FOUR! Finishes it off in style! Fuller and on off. This is drilled down the ground and to the long off fence.

SCORES LEVEL! On middle. This is worked through mid-wicket. A single taken.

Two needed! On off. This is pushed down to long off for one.

Flatter and outside off. Shah looks to cut but is beaten.

Around off. Shah guides it to point.

FOUR! Just the three more needed! On middle. Shorter. This is pulled through square leg. Boundary.

WIDE! Another extra! Down the leg side yet again. Wided.

Length and on off. This is pushed to cover.

WIDE! Well outside off. Wided.

Outside off again. Shahidi goes after it but misses.

FOUR! Runs needed below 10 now! Outside off. Shorter. This is flayed past point for a boundary.

Around off. This is guided past point for one.

Around middle. This is worked through square leg for one.

Too full and outside off, Shah drives it to cover.

Length and on off, Shah blocks it out.

On the pads, Shahidi flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

Full and on middle, Shah skips down and drives it to long off for a single.

Flat and on off, Shah blocks it out.

FOUR! Flat and outside off, Shah cuts it very late and through point for a boundary. Needed under 20 now.

FOUR! Slightly short and around off, Shahidi pulls it through mid-wicket and it races to the fence.

Full and outside off, Shahidi drives it to cover.

On middle, Shahidi pulls but to mid-wicket.

Length and on middle, Shahidi nudges it in front of square on the leg side for couple.

Short in length and outside off, Shahidi slashes and misses.

A length ball, outside off, Shahidi slaps it to cover.

Tossed up on off, Shah defends it out.

On middle, Shahidi drills it to long on for a single.

Angling on the pads. Shahidi keeps it out.

Bowls it full and on the pads. Shahidi helps it to short fine leg.

Full and outside off, Shah knocks it through covers for one.

Too full and outside off, Shahidi drives it to cover for a single.

Full and on off, Shahidi fails to defend and it rolls to the keeper who fails to collect. It rolls on the off side for one.

A bumper outside off, Shahidi sits under it.

Length and outside off, Shahidi slashes and misses.

Lovely! Much closer to the off pole, shorter and Shahidi fails to defend.

Short in length and outside off, Shahidi has a poke at it but misses.

Wide! Outside off and it is over the tramline. Left alone.

Hashmatullah Shahidi walks in next.

OUT! TAKEN! Fantastic catch! Too full and outside off, Atal lofts it but doesn't time it well. It goes to the left of deep square leg where Brian Bennett dives and takes it well. Superb catch.

On middle, Atal nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter and outside off, Shah slaps it to deep cover for a single.

Outside off, Shah punches it to cover.

Floats it full and outside off, Shah knocks it to cover.

One more run as Atal works it down to long on.

Full and on off, Shah pushes it to long off for a single.

A single as this is worked through square leg.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.

On middle. Blocked.

Outside off. Left alone.

Two! On middle. This is pulled through mid-wicket. Two taken.

On off. This is pushed through covers for one.

Two! On middle. This is clipped past mid-wicket. Two taken.

On off. This is guided to point.

On middle. Kept out.

Around off. Defended.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.

OUT! Timber! Something for Zimbabwe to celebrate! On middle. This lands and jags back in. Malik fails to put bat on ball and it hits the stumps.

Takes one as this is tucked on the leg side.

On middle. Atal flicks it to mid-wicket.

Length and on off. Malik drives it to cover.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.

Now takes one as this is punched past cover.

SIX! All the way. Picks the length early! This is short and on middle. It is pulled over mid-wicket and it goes all the way.

On the stumps. Kept out.

Outside off. This is guided through point for one.

On middle. Malik defends it.

On off. This is eased down to long off for one.

Shortish and on middle. This is pulled to mid-wicket.

On off. This is guided to point.

On the stumps. This lands and moves away. Malik is beaten as he pushes at it.

Around off. Length. This is defended.

On middle. This is tucked to mid-wicket for one.

WIDE! Another wide! Down the leg side again. Shorter. Atal looks to pull but misses.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.

Around off. This is punched but straight to cover.

Around off. This is pushed to cover.

On the stumps. Defended.

On the stumps. Blocked again.

Fuller and on off. This is driven through covers for one.

On middle. Defended.

On the stumps. Kept out.

Outside off. Malik looks to cut but is beaten.

Shorter and outside off. Malik slashes but is beaten.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.

On middle. This is pulled through square leg for one.

On off. This is pushed past cover for one.

FOUR! That's beautifully played! Fuller and on off. This is driven past cover and this races away to the fence.

Fullishband on off. This is played through covers for one more.

This time he drives the fuller ball, wide of cover for two.

On the stumps. This is eased down to long on. Another single.

On middle. This is played back to the bowler.

On middle. This is clipped past square leg. A single. Doing it easy at the moment.

Two again! Fuller and on off. This is driven past cover. Couple more.

Two! On middle. This is worked through mid-wicket for two.

On the off pole. This is nudged to mid-wicket.

Outside off. Not played at.

On middle. Flatter. Defended.

Fuller and on off. Malik drives it to mid off.

On the pads. Atal looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad and rolls towards the leg side. A leg bye taken.

Dot to end! On middle. Malik goes back and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Attacks the stumps. Malik pushes it to cover.

Angled into the pads. Malik works it to mid-wicket.

Fuller and on off. This is driven but finds cover.

On middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.

Flatter and on middle. Malik plays it to cover.

Flatter and on off. This is pushed to cover.

Another run! On middle. This is worked past mid-wicket. A single taken.

Fuller and on middle. This is punched down to long on for one.

Around off. This is punched past cover for one.

On off. This is pushed to cover.

WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.

FOUR! Cut away! Short and wide outside off. This is flayed past point and this races away.

Outside off, Atal shoulders arms to it.

FOUR! Well played! Very full and on middle, Atal flicks it through mid-wicket to his left for a boundary.

Shorter and on middle, Malik tucks it to deep square leg for a single.

Slants it full and around off, Malik looks to defend under his eyes but misses.

A good length ball, outside off, Malik looks to defend but misses it.

On the pads, Atal helps it down to fine leg for a single.

Too short and around off, Malik drops his wrists and lets it go.

Short of a length and outside off, Malik slashes and misses.

Outside off, Atal guides it to third man for a single.

FOUR! Uppish and four! Shorter and outside off, Atal punches on the up and over covers for a boundary.

A length ball, outside off, Atal strokes it to cover.

Serves it full and on middle, Atal eases it to mid on.

Short in length and on middle, Malik looks to flick but misses and gets hit high on the pads.

Shorter and outside off, Malik leaves it alone.

EDGED AND FOUR! Too full and outside off, Malik flashes his blade but outside edges it past slip and to the third man fence.

A good length and outside off, Malik lets it go.

Wide! Outside off and it is over the tramline. Malik leaves.

Malik goes after it. This is way outside off, Malik uses his feet and slashes but misses.

This is full and outside off, Malik pushes it to point.

A good length ball, outside off, Atal knocks it to point.

TWO! A length ball, outside off, Atal punches it through covers for a couple more.

FOUR! Runs have started to flow! Shorter and on middle, Atal pulls it to deep square leg for a boundary.

On a length and on middle, Atal punches it past mid on for a couple of runs.

Short of a length and outside off, Atal looks to punch it but misses.

FOUR! Well played! Too full and on middle, Atal drills it down past mid off for a boundary.

Maiden! Shorter and outside off, Malik does not chase it.

Outside off once again. Malik has nothing to do with it.

Outside off and it shapes away. Malik watchfully leaves it.

Another dot! Well outside off, Malik leaves it alone.

Too full and outside off, Malik leans and pushes it to mid off.

On a length and on middle, Malik blocks.

This is touch short and outside off, Atal looks to pull but misses.

A good length ball around off, Atal leans and defends it out.

Full and outside off, Atal punches it to cover.

On the pads, Atal flicks it to square leg.

Length and outside off, shapes away. Atal has a poke at it but misses.

SIX! Atal loves to play this shot! On middle, shorter and this is pulled over square leg for a biggie.

Full and outside off, Malik shoulders arms to it.

On middle, Malik looks to flick but misses and gets high on the pads.

FOUR! Sweet! Pitched up, outside off, Malik creams it through covers and it races to the fence. Malik is underway.

A good length ball on off, Malik nudges it onto the leg side.

A length ball on off, this is guided to point.

THREE! A length ball on middle, Atal flicks it to square leg. The fielder chases and slides to save a single.

Wide! Short and down leg, Atal fails to flick it.

Outside off, Malik leaves it alone.

Very full and around off, Malik drives it to mid off.

Lovely! Angles away a length ball, outside off, Malik looks to defend but misses it.

On middle, this is blocked out.

A length ball, outside off, stays a bit low. Malik looks to play with an angled bat but misses.

Afghanistan are off the mark! Length ball on middle, Atal turns it to square leg for a single.

Short in length and around off, Malik sways away from the line of the delivery.

On a length and around off, Malik defends it out.

Length and on middle, Malik prods and blocks.

Trevor Gwandu bowls outside off, Malik offers no shot.

Shorter and angling outside off, Malik leaves it alone.

Too short and outside off, Malik shoulders arms to it.

Trevor Gwandu is into the attack.

Good start! Short in length and around off, Atal tries to defend but gets well beaten.

A length ball, outside off, Atal without any foot movement looks to push but misses.

This is full and on middle, Atal turns it to mid-wicket.

On a good length and outside off, nips away. Atal looks to push but misses.

Well outside off, Atal shoulders arms to it.

Short of a length and outside off. Atal looks to defend across but misses and gets beaten on the outside edge.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Zimbabwe are bowled out! A slower length ball outside off. Ngarava has a poke at it and edges it to the keeper who makes no mistake.

On the pads, Gwandu flicks it to square leg.

Flat and on leg, turns in. Gwandu looks to punch but misses and it rolls just past the leg pole.

Flighted full and around off, Gwandu looks to drive but misses and it goes past the edge.

Too full and on middle and leg, Ngarava drills it to long on for a single.

This is full and outside off, Ngarava pushes it to cover.

Flat and on middle, Ngarava blocks it out.

Bowls it on the hips. Ngarava turns it to square leg for a single. Keeps the strike!

FOUR! Crucial runs! Shorter and outside off, Ngarava slashes it over extra cover and it races to the fence.

Very full and on middle, Gwandu flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Length ball outside off, Trevor Gwandu punches it to cover.

Short in length and on off, this is pulled to long on for a single.

Dishes out a yorker on off, Richard Ngarava digs it out to point.

Tossed up full and around off, spins away. Trevor Gwandu looks to defend but is well beaten. Survives.

Too full and around off, Gwandu blocks it out.

Trevor Gwandu is the last man in.

OUT! GONE! Williams' goes! Khan has the last laugh. Full and outside off, Williams looks to reverse hit but instead gloves it to first slip where Mohammad Nabi takes it. Smart from Nabi as he moves to his left as Williams shapes up for the hit.

Tossed up on off, Williams stays back and blocks.

SIX! Clean from Williams! Khan bowls it in the slot full and on middle, Williams slog-sweeps it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Too full and around off, Williams reverse hits but to short third man.

On middle, this is pulled to square leg for a single.

FOUR! Crunched! That's fifty for Williams! Lone warrior for the hosts! Full and outside off, Williams thumps it through covers for four.

Touch fuller and outside off, Williams knocks it to cover.

Too full and on off. Williams punches it to cover.

Full and outside off, Ngarava slices his push to third man for a single.

Length ball, outside off, Williams punches it through point for a single.

Big swing and a miss! Outside off and it spins away. Ngarava slashes and misses.

Slightly short and outside off, Ngarava looks to cut but misses.

This is full and on middle, Ngarava drives it down to the right of long on for a couple.

Too full and on middle, Richard Ngarava flicks it to mid-wicket.

Flat and on off, Williams pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

The googly, full and on off, Williams prods to defend but misses.

Keeps strike! On middle. This is tucked on the leg side for one.

On the stumps. This is played to cover again.

Around off. This is punched to cover.

FOUR! Very well played! The recers sweep comes out. This is hit through point and this races away.

Two! Around off. Williams lofts it over cover for two.

Flatter and outside off. Williams swings but misses.

On middle. This is pushed back to the bowler.

On middle. Blocked.

Around off. This is pushed past cover for one.

SIX! Gets hold of this one. This is closer to Williams. He plays tha slog sweep and connects brilliantly. This goes over the mid-wicket fence.

Outside off again. Williams tries to sweep again but no connection.

Williams sweeps. It goes towards deep square leg. No run taken.

Flatter and on middle. Kept out.

OUT! Taken! Five for AM Ghazanfar! Newman goes for the sweep again. He tries to drag it from outside off. It goes off the top edge to the left of first slip. Nabi takes it.

Around off. Newman pushes it to cover.

Fuller and on off. This is driven to mid off.

On the stumps. Williams punches it to cover.

Flatter and on the off pole. This is pushed to cover.

Around off. This is pushed to cover.

On middle. This is tucked in the leg side. No run.

Outside off. Newman looks to sweep but misses.

Flatter and on off. This is punched past cover. Mid off gives it a chase. Three taken.

On off. This is pushed past cover for one.

On middle. Blocked.

On the pads. Newman looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye taken.

Around off. This is pushed to cover.

On middle. Kept out.

FOUR! Nicely played! He's not picking him so brings out the sweep and this is nailed through square leg.

On middle. This is tucked in the leg side for one.

On middle. This is punched down to long on for one.

On the stumps. Defended.

On middle. Blocked.

FOUR! Swept away! On middle and the sweep comes out. This is hit through square leg. It races away.

Lovely! This lands around off and spins away. Williams is beaten as he looks to defend.

On middle. This is swept through square leg for one.

On middle. Williams tucks it on the leg side and takes one.

No hat-trick! This lands on off and spins away. Newman looks to block but is beaten.

OUT! Two in two! This lands outside off and spins back in. Masakadza looks to defend. This sneaks through the gap of bat and pad and hits the stumps. 100 now looks far away.

OUT! There's number 6! Afghanistan are yet again running through the batting line up. Marumani does not pick it again. Outside off. This lands and spins back in. Marumani looks to cut but gets an inside edge onto the stumps.

Flatter and on off. This is punched to cover.

On middle. Kept out.

On off. This is pushed through covers for one.

Flatter and on middle. Blocked.

OUT! There is number five! The googly. It lands outside off and spins back in. Brian goes back but misses the flick and is hit on the pad. A loud shout and the finger is raised.

On middle. Williams pushes it down to long on and a run is taken.

On middle. Blocked.

Flatter and on off. This is pushed to cover.

Fuller and on off. This is driven past cover for two.

A huge appeal for LBW but turned down! Flat and on middle and off. Williams looks to sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. That was really close but not given.

Flighted full on leg, Williams chips it in front of mid-wicket.

A bit short and on middle, this is pulled to square leg for a single.

Floats it full and on middle, Brian Bennett leans and blocks it out.

Outside off, this is guided to point.

This is full and outside off, Brian Bennett leans to defend but splices it to third man for a couple.

This is full and outside off, it is pushed to point for a quick single.

Shorter and outside off. Bennett cuts it through point for a couple of runs.

OUT! LBW! That's what he does! that's what he always do! A bit short and on middle and leg. Skids off the surface and Raza is caught on the back foot, he misses and gets hit on the pads. An appeal for LBW and up goes the finger.

Khan drops it short and on middle, zips a bit as Raza looks to pull, luckily he mistimes and it falls to mid-wicket.

Slider it full and on middle, Raza blocks it out.

FOUR! Welcomes Khan with a boundary! Flat and on off, skids on. Raza chops it late to third mn for a boundary.

Change. Rashid Khan to bowl now.

Flights it up on off, full and Williams jams it out to mid-wicket.

Very full and around off, Williams defends close to his pads.

On the pads, Raza tucks it to square leg for a single.

Leg bye! Full and shaping on off, Williams looks to reverse sweep but misses. An appeal for LBW but AM Ghazanfar suggests it is going down.

Floats it full and around off, Williams defends.

Full and on off, Raza pushes it down to long off for a single.

Drinks! Zimbabwe have lost three wickets but Williams and Raza have looked good for their small innings. Still early but these two have to build a big partnership. Can they do it against Afghanistan who are yet to introduce Rashid Khan yet into the attack?

SIX! 50 up! Risky shot! Full and on the pads. Williams flicks on the up and behind square leg. The fielder was standing yards in and the ball flies over him.

FOUR! Clean from Williams! Looks in good touch today! Too full and on middle, Williams flicks it past mid-wicket for a boundary.

Full and outside off, Williams looks to drive but mistimes it to cover.

Wide! Shapes it full and down leg. Williams misses his flick.

Too full and on middle, Williams tries a straight drive but splices it to point.

A good length ball on middle, Williams solidly blocks it out.

Serves it full and around off, Williams turns it down to mid on.

Bilal Sami is into the attack.

Slower in the air, flat and on middle, Raza blocks.

Bowls outside off again. Williams knocks it down to long off for a single.

Tossed up around off, Williams punches it to cover.

Bowls short and outside off, Williams bends to cut but misses.

Flat and on off, Raza flicks it to square leg for a single.

An off cutter, full and on off, Williams pushes it to long off for a single.

Full and outside off, shapes away. Raza leaves it alone. Second maiden from Azmatullah Omarzai.

Azmatullah Omarzai bowls outside off. Raza offers no shot.

Well outside off, Raza shoulders arms to it.

Hard length delivery around off, Raza steps across and defends under his eyes.

Outside off, Raza gets inside the line and prods to block it out.

Good length ball, outside off, shapes away. Raza shoulders arms to it.

Floated full and outside off, Williams looks to defend across but misses.

FOUR! This is good batting from Williams! This will help Zimbabwe! Flighted full and outside off, Williams sweeps it past mid on onto his left and for four runs.

Tossed up full and around off, Williams prods and blocks.

FOUR! Well played! This is outside off, Williams fetches from outside off and slogs it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Goes very full and on middle, Williams digs it out to cover.

Flat and turning on middle, Williams punches it to cover.

A leave it end! Outside off. Raza does not fiddle with it.

FOUR! Cut away! Slightly shorter and outside off. Raza flays it over point and this races away to the fence.

On middle. Williams stays back and works it to mid-wicket.

On off. Flatter. This is punched to cover.

On off. This is pushed to cover.

On the stumps. This is nudged on the leg side for one.

On middle. Flatter. Kept out.

Raza is off the mark! On middle. This is pushed down to long on for one.

OUT! That's three down in quick time! Zimbabwe in big trouble now! This is the googly, it lands outside off and spins back in. Curran does not pick it. He goes back to defend but misses and this hits the pad. That's absolutely plumb.

Slightly shorter and on off. Curran pushes it to cover.

Flatter and on middle. Curran pushes it to cover.

Flatter and on middle. This is punched back to the bowler.

Length again and on middle. Williams pushes it to cover.

Shortish this time and around off. Williams pushes it to cover.

OUT! TAKEN! Number two down! This is full and around off. It shapes away. Ervine looks to push at it. This goes off the outside edge and it is taken by the keeper.

Good comeback! Angles it into the off pole and then gets it to leave the batter. Ervine is beaten as he tries to defend.

FOUR! Nicely played! On middle. Fuller. Ervine walks across and then works it past mid-wicket. This races away to the fence.

Fuller and on off. This is pushed to mid off.

On middle. Ervine tucks it on the leg side and takes one.

OUT! This guy just can't stop taking wickets! On middle. The slog sweep comes out. The extra bounce and it lobs to short fine leg. An easy catch.

Flatter and around off. This is guided to point.

On middle. Gumbie gets right behind the line and plays it to cover.

On middle. This is swept but it goes off the inner half to square leg.

Flatter and on middle. Blocked.

On the stumps this time! Curran gets right behind the line and blocks it.

Length again and arond off. Curran looks to push but this lands and moves away.

Fuller and on off. Curran drives it to cover.

On middle. Length. Kept out.

Two more! Fuller and on middle. This is worked through mid-wicket for two.

Around off. Gumbie pushes it toward mid off for one.

Another wide! Full and swinging down the leg side. Gumbie misses the sweep. Wided again.

Down the leg side. Gumbie looks to pull but misses. Wided.

FOUR! Solid shot! This will give him confidence! Too full and on off, Curran smashes it down past mid off for a boundary.

Slides it full and on the pads. Curran flicks it sweetly to deep square leg. The fielder misfield and they take two.

Short in length and around off, Curran punches it to point.

A good length ball on off, Curran blocks it out.

CLOSE AGAIN! Much fuller and on middle and leg, comes with an angle. Curran fails to flick away. Must be going down.

CLOSE! Full and around off, nips away a touch. Curran swings his blade and misses.

Leg bye! Shapes in a length ball around off, Curran steps across to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. An appeal for LBW but would have missed the stumps.

A hard length delivery outside off, Curran rocks back and taps it to point.

Tad fuller and around off, shapes back in. Curran drills it to mid on.

A good length ball, around off, Gumbie splices his shot to third man for one.

Outside off, Curran slashes his blade and it goes aerially to third man for a single.

Outside off and it swings away late. Curran tries to play this one with a straight bat but misses.

On a length and outside off, Curran slaps it to the left of point for a single.

On a length and on middle, Curran eases it to mid on.

Slants in a length ball around off, Curran turns it to mid-wicket.

A good length ball on off, nips in. Curran hangs back and defends.

Short in length and around off, Curran gets behind the line of the delivery and blocks.

A length ball, outside off, Curran lets it go.

Maiden! Too full and on middle, Gumbie pushes it down to mid on.

This one straightens off, full and on around off, Gumbie pushes it back to the bowler.

Similar delivery! Tad fuller and around off, nips away. Gumbie sees and leaves it to the keeper.

Bowls it full and outside off, swings away. Gumbie watchfully leaves it alone.

This one lands on off and shapes away. Gumbie leaves it alone.

Full and outside off, Gumbie shoulders arms to it.

Azmatullah Omarzai to bowl from the other end.

Too full and around off, Curran drills it to mid on.

Wide! Short in length and on leg, Curran looks to pull but misses.

This is full and outside off, Curran shoulders arms to it.

Curran is underway! On off, Curran steps across and nudges it behind square leg for a couple.

Curran shuffles across and Ahmad bowls it on a length and on off, Curran misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. An appeal for LBW but turned down.

Lovely delivery! A length ball around  off and shapes away. Curran looks to defend but is beaten on the outside edge.

Zimbabwe are underway! A good length ball shaping on middle, Joylord Gumbie turns it to square leg for a single.

We are all set. The players are out in the middle. Ben Curran and Joylord Gumbie to open for Zimbabwe. Fareed Ahmad to bowl first.

Craig Ervine says the first powerplay is going to be key for them and wants to make the most of it. Informs about the team changes.

Hashmatullah Shahidi says they'll bowl first as there is a bit of moisture. Informs Bilal Sami and Fareed Ahmad are the changes.

Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Joylord Gumbie, Ben Curran, Craig Ervine (C), Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Wellington Masakadza, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, Trevor Gwandu.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) -  Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (WK), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Fareed Ahmad, Bilal Sami.

TOSS - Afghanistan have opted to BOWL first!

The hosts were demolished in the second game! They got a real beating from a rampant Afghanistan side. This is now a must win game for the hosts if they want to avoid a series defeat. However, Afghanistan will be high on confidence and will want to repeat their performance from the first game! They are favourites to come out victorious again but Zimbabwe are a side who can't be taken lightly. 

... MATCH DAY ...

Afghanistan heads into the final ODI against Zimbabwe with an unassailable lead in the series. After dominating the preceding T20I series, they've maintained their impressive form in the ODI format. While rain washed out the opening ODI, Afghanistan showcased their superiority with a convincing victory in the second match. Even if Zimbabwe manages to win this final encounter, the best they can achieve is a shared series, as Afghanistan has already secured at least a piece of the trophy. The match represents not just the ODI series finale at Harare, but also marks the conclusion of Afghanistan's successful white-ball tour of Zimbabwe before the two sides don the whites. So what has been the problem with Zimbabwe? Batting? Bowling? Both, in all fairness. Zimbabwe's performance has been concerning across all departments. Their batting lineup has been particularly troublesome, with both established stars and newcomers failing to make their mark. The top order's inability to provide solid starts has been compounded by an underperforming middle order, where veterans Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, and Sikandar Raza – typically the backbone of Zimbabwe's batting – have been notably quiet. The team's batting woes were starkly evident in the first ODI, where they crumbled to 44-5 before rain provided a reprieve. The bowling unit hasn't fared much better. Front-line pacers Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani, usually reliable wicket-takers, have struggled to make early breakthroughs or maintain pressure. To salvage their pride and end the series on a positive note, Zimbabwe will need to address these multiple areas of concern and mount a strong performance. Afghanistan has been equally opposite in all facets of the game. The batting lineup has been impressive, with young Sediqullah Atal announcing his arrival on the international stage in style, already notching up a century. The top order's solidity has been further reinforced by Abdul Malik who has displayed promise, while captain Hashmatullah Shahidi has anchored the middle order with reliable performances. The bowling unit has been equally effective, with different players stepping up at crucial moments. AM Ghazanfar has been the standout performer, claiming four wickets in the series and demonstrating remarkable control. The pace department has complemented the spin attack effectively, maintaining pressure throughout the innings. What makes their bowling performance even more remarkable is that they've achieved this dominance without a single over from their star bowler Rashid Khan which indeed is a testament to the team's growing depth and versatility in the bowling department. Can the Afghans clinch the series on the back of these strong performances, or will Zimbabwe salvage some pride and finish the series on a positive note?