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DEBUTANT teenager Noor Ahmad was the four-wicket star as Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 35 runs at Harare Sports Club yesterday to complete a 3-0 T20I series win.
One of four changes to the team that won on Sunday, the 18-year-old left-arm wrist-spinner took a remarkable 4/10 in a four-over spell, which helped restrict Zimbabwe to 90 for 9 in their 20 overs as they chased Afghanistan’s 125-8.
Sharafuddin Ashraf, a slow, left-arm orthodox bowler, took two wickets as the tourists completed a white-ball tour sweep having already won all three games in the one-day international series between the sides.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, captain Mohammad Nabi top-scored with 31 for Afghanistan in the dead rubber.
Batting at number 6, the all-rounder scored at a run a ball and struck two fours.
Nabi was caught by rival skipper Craig Ervine at extra cover off the bowling of Luke Jongwe from the final ball of the 18th over when he sliced a full, wide delivery.
Najibullah Zadran, tormentor in chief of Zimbabwe in the previous T20I triumphs with innings of 44 and 57, lasted only four balls before being caught by debutant wicketkeeper Clive Madande off a Ryan Burl googly.
Sikandar Raza (2/18) and Burl (2/22) were the most successful Zimbabwe bowlers.
In reply, Zimbabwe reached 40-2 before a batting collapse where seven wickets tumbled for the addition of only 29 runs.
Burl, batting at number 7, top-scored with 15 off 24 balls, including one four, before being caught and bowled by Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Opener Wessley Madhevere made 14 and tailender Ainsley Ndlovu was unbeaten on 13. – SA Cricket Mag
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