adminAFGHANISTAN Under-19 have won the first of four Youth One-Day International (Yodi) matches against Zimbabwe at the Greater Noida Sports Complex ground outside the Indian capital New Delhi.
The Zimbabwe Under-19 side is in India as part of preparations for the 2016 International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 Cricket World Cup to be held in Bangladesh from January 27 to February 14.
Afghanistan Under-19 won the toss and chose to field and Zimbabwe batsmen found left-arm spinner Zia-ur-Rehman difficult to contend with as wickets fell at regular intervals.
Number four batsman Ryan Murray top-scored with 45 runs off 62 balls before he was caught by Ihsanullah off the bowling of Zia-ur-Rehman. The 17-year-old spinner also claimed Zimbabwe’s next best scorer William Mashinge (37), whom he trapped leg before wicket.
Zia-ur-Rehman was easily the pick of the Afghanistan bowlers, finishing with seven wickets for 30 runs in 10 overs, and earning the player of the match award. Medium pacer Muslim Musa claimed two wickets for 34 runs in 8.3 overs.
Chasing 198, Afghanistan reached that target in 40.1 overs for the loss of five wickets.
Top contributors included Tariq Stanikzai with 52 runs from 73 balls, which included seven fours and one six and Rashid Khan with a 36-ball 45.
For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava got two wickets for 33 runs in nine overs. Captain Blessing Mavuta, Wesley Madhevere and Brendan Sly claimed one each.
The next Yodi for Zimbabwe is on Tuesday.
There will be 16 teams at the global 50-over youth cricket showcase. Apart from the 10 Test playing countries, six Associate and Affiliate Member sides — Afghanistan, Canada, Fiji, Namibia, Nepal and Scotland — will also participate after winning the various regional qualifying events.
Zimbabwe are in Group C with England, Fiji and the West Indies.
Zimbabwe squad
Blessing Mavuta (Captain), Trevor Chibvongodze, Jeremy Ives, Adam Keefe, Wesley Madhevere, Rugare Magarire, William Mashinge, Kundai Matigimu, Sydney Murombo, Ryan Murray, Richard Ngarava, Akshay Patel, Milton Shumba, Brendan Sly and Shaun Snyder- Online.
Online Reporter