adminBongani Ndlovu Sports Correspondent
AFGHANISTAN off-spin bowler Sharrafuddin Ashraf yesterday took six wickets to lead his nation to a 16-run win over Zimbabwe A in a one day warm up match at Bulawayo Athletic Club.
The visitors were sent in to bat first by Zimbabwe A and set a score of 209 runs and the hosts scored 193 falling 16 runs short with two overs to spare in front of a sizeable crowd comprised mainly of local league cricket players and enthusiasts.
Afghanistan opening batsman Usman Ghani top scored with 79 runs off 110 deliveries.
Ashraf who was on debut got the six wicket haul with bowling figures of 9.3 overs with two maidens and 29 runs as the Afghanistan side defended their 209 run total.
The young cricketer would vary his pace and on occasion bowl the arm ball that deceived the Zimbabwean batsman leading to his six wicket haul.
The only highlight in Zimbabwe A’s batting department was the duo of Tinotenda Mutombodzi (60 runs) and 19-year-old Luke Jongwe (50 runs) who tried their best to steer the home side to victory.
After the match Zimbabwe A coach Walter Chawaguta said the batting department did not click as his charges lost three early wickets and did not have enough batting partnerships.
“The batsmen were not positive when went out there. They let the opposition bowl to them and waited for errors, rather than taking control of the situation and forcing errors. Also there were not enough batting partnerships, as the only meaningful one was between Mutombodzi and young Jongwe,” he said.
Chawaguta commended his bowlers in keeping it tight from the beginning to the end.
“The bowlers did well, credit to them, they kept it tight especially the spinners. The fielding was superb and Jongwe also contributed as he took one wicket in eight overs for 39 runs,” he said.
His counterpart, Kabir Khan, also commended the Zimbabwe A bowlers as his side found it difficult to score runs.
“The pitch was turning and seaming in the morning and we ended up setting ourselves a target of putting up a score of 250 runs. But Zimbabwe A bowlers kept it tight with their lines and lengths throughout the game. Zimbabwe A made it hard for us to get to our target of 250 runs and they restricted us to 209 runs,” he said.
Khan said the tour of Zimbabwe was more of a learning curve against a test playing nation for his team and tomorrow’s second and final warm up match would give other players a chance.
After tomorrow’s warm up match the two sides will meet on Friday for the first of four one day internationals at Queens Sports Club.
Online Reporter