The Asians who are in Zimbabwe for a three week long tour batted first and were bowled out for 209 runs with a half century from opener Usman Ghani.
Luke Jongwe, Tino Mutombozi, Tatenda Gumunyu, and TafadzwaKamungozi, all claimed two wickets each. As Zimbabwe chased the target, Mutombozi and Jongwe both scored half centuries each but that was not enough as a six wicket haul from left arm spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf, restricted Zimbabwe to 16 runs shy of the target.
The next warm up match is Tueday before the first One Day International against the Zimbabwean senior side at Queens Sports Club starting Friday.
Initially, Afghanistan were supposed to have toured Zimbabwe in January but the trip was cancelled as Zimbabwe Cricket was undergoing a period of financial problems.
Afghanistan who have qualified for the World Cup are playing their first ever ODIs against a Test playing nation. Th Afghanistan tour will serve as a perfect warm up for the Zimbabwean’s team home Tri-Serirs which will also involve Australia and South Africa.
In the latest ODI rankings released by the International Cricket Council, Zimbabwe are pegged in 10th position, just above Afghanistan and Ireland but below Bangladesh.
Post published in: Cricket