HARARE, June 5 (AP)
Rahmat Shah’s 94 runs and Mohammad Nabi’s four wickets helped Afghanistan beat hosts Zimbabwe by 60 runs in the first ODI here. Afghanistan have played 5 ODI series against Zimbabwe since 2014 and have not lost a single one. The visiting team once again proved themselves as a strong contender at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday. Batting first, Afghanistan scored 276 for five and then bundled out the hosts for 216 runs. Shah and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi played catchy shots after a cautious start. Both added 181 runs for the third wicket and also scored half-centuries during this period. Shah dealt well with the fast bowlers and spinners during his 120-ball innings, hitting seven fours and three sixes. He was adjudged man of the match. Shahidi scored 88 runs in 104 balls with the help of 13 fours. Both Shah and Shahidi were sent to the pavilion by pacer Blessing Mujarbani, who took four for 52. He has returned to international cricket after playing a role as a net bowler for Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League. In response, Zimbabwe’s team could not make any big partnership. Off-spinner Nabi took four wickets for 34 runs. All-rounder Sikandar Raza narrowed the margin of defeat with 67 runs but was bowled by star leg-spinner Rashid Khan. The second ODI will be played on Monday.
