Afghan cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2022#3rd ODI

{{Infobox cricket tour

| series_name = Afghan cricket team Zimbabwe in 2022

| team1_image = Flag of Zimbabwe.svg

| team1_name = Zimbabwe

| team2_image = Flag of Afghanistan (2013–2021).svg

| team2_name = Afghanistan

| from_date = 4

| to_date = 14 June 2022

| team1_captain = Craig Ervine

| team2_captain = Hashmatullah Shahidi (ODIs)
Mohammad Nabi (T20Is)

| no_of_ODIs = 3

| team1_ODIs_won = 0

| team2_ODIs_won = 3

| team1_ODIs_most_runs = Sikandar Raza (145)

| team2_ODIs_most_runs = Rahmat Shah (198)

| team1_ODIs_most_wickets = Blessing Muzarabani (7)

| team2_ODIs_most_wickets = Mohammad Nabi (8)

| player_of_ODI_series = Rahmat Shah (Afg)

| no_of_twenty20s = 3

| team1_twenty20s_won = 0

| team2_twenty20s_won = 3

| team1_twenty20s_most_runs = Sikandar Raza (86)

| team2_twenty20s_most_runs = Najibullah Zadran (103)

| team1_twenty20s_most_wickets = Ryan Burl (6)

| team2_twenty20s_most_wickets = Noor Ahmad (4)
Rashid Khan (4)
Nijat Masood (4)

| player_of_twenty20_series = Najibullah Zadran (Afg)

}}

The Afghanistan cricket team toured Zimbabwe in June 2022 to play three One Day International (ODI) matches and three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches.{{cite web|url=https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/03/chevrons-set-for-busy-schedule-ahead-of-t20-world-cup-qualifier/ |title=Chevrons set for busy schedule ahead of T20 World Cup qualifier |work=NewsDay |access-date=1 April 2022}} The ODI series formed part of the inaugural 2020–2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/742337 |title=Schedule for inaugural World Test Championship announced |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=11 January 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://icc-static-files.s3.amazonaws.com/ICC/document/2018/06/20/6dc2c8d4-e1a5-4dec-94b4-7121fab3cd7f/ICC_Tours.pdf |title=Men's Future Tours Programme |access-date=11 October 2019 |work=International Cricket Council}} In April 2022, Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed the fixtures for the tour.{{cite web|url=https://zimcricket.org/zimbabwe-announce-busy-international-schedule/ |title=Zimbabwe announce busy international schedule |work=Zimbabwe Cricket |access-date=15 April 2022}} The following month, the tour itinerary was changed slightly, bringing the matches forward by one week and reducing the number of T20Is from five to three.{{cite web|url=https://zimcricket.org/zimbabwe-confirm-revised-afghanistan-series-schedule/ |title=Zimbabwe confirm revised Afghanistan series schedule |work=Zimbabwe Cricket |access-date=26 May 2022}}

Afghanistan won the opening ODI match by 60 runs.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/afghanistan-in-zimbabwe-2022-1310918/zimbabwe-vs-afghanistan-1st-odi-1310943/match-report |title=Rahmat, Shahidi, Rashid and Nabi star as Afghanistan go 1-0 up |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=6 June 2022}} Afghanistan also won the second ODI, with an unbeaten century from Ibrahim Zadran,{{cite web|url=https://www.news9live.com/sports/cricket-news/ibrahim-zadran-century-guides-afghanistan-to-odi-series-win-vs-zimbabwe-174770 |title=Ibrahim Zadran century guides Afghanistan to ODI series win vs Zimbabwe |work=News9 |access-date=6 June 2022}} to take an unassailable lead in the three-match series.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2640586 |title=Record second-wicket stand powers Afghanistan to series win |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=6 June 2022}} Afghanistan won the third and final ODI by four wickets to win the series 3–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/afghanistan-in-zimbabwe-2022-1310918/zimbabwe-vs-afghanistan-3rd-odi-1310945/match-report |title=All-round Nabi show and bowlers seal Afghanistan's series sweep against Zimbabwe |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=9 June 2022}} In the T20I series, Afghanistan won the first match by six wickets,{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/afghanistan-in-zimbabwe-2022-1310918/zimbabwe-vs-afghanistan-1st-t20i-1310946/match-report |title=Debutant Nijat Masood, Hazratullah Zazai, Najibullah Zadran put Afghanistan 1-0 up |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=11 June 2022}} and the second T20I match by 21 runs to win the series with a match to spare.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/afghanistan-in-zimbabwe-2022-1310918/zimbabwe-vs-afghanistan-2nd-t20i-1310947/match-report |title=Nabi, Farooqi and Rashid help Afghanistan sew up T20I series against Zimbabwe |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=12 June 2022}} Afghanistan won the final match of the tour by 35 runs to win the T20I series 3–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/afghanistan-in-zimbabwe-2022-1310918/zimbabwe-vs-afghanistan-3rd-t20i-1310948/match-report |title=Noor Ahmad bags four wickets on debut as Afghanistan complete 6-0 white-ball sweep |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=14 June 2022}}

Background

Afghanistan were originally scheduled to tour Zimbabwe in July and August 2020 to play five Twenty20 International (T20I) matches,{{cite web|url=https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zimbabwe-cricket-plan-post-covid-19-busy-schedule/ |title=Zimbabwe Cricket plan post Covid-19 busy schedule |work=New Zimbabwe |access-date=23 June 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202006110449.html |title=Zimbabwe Cricketers Undergo COVID-19 Tests Ahead of Training |work=All Africa |access-date=23 June 2020}} subject to lockdown restrictions being lifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zimbabwe-cricket-reacts-to-india-series-cancellation/ |title=Zimbabwe Cricket reacts to India series cancellation |work=New Zimbabwe |access-date=23 June 2020}} The tour was not part of the Future Tours Programme.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29161584/reeling-financially-afghanistan-cricket-board-cut-coaching-staff-salary-first |title=Reeling financially, Afghanistan Cricket Board to cut coaching staff salary first |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=23 June 2020}} In June 2020, the Zimbabwe cricket team resumed their training, after passing COVID-19 tests.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29353240/zimbabwe-cricket-nearly-debt-free-horrible-year,-says-chairman-tavengwa-mukuhlani |title=Zimbabwe Cricket nearly debt-free after 'horrible' year, says chairman |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=23 June 2020}} On 20 July 2020, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) requested clearance from the government for the tour to go ahead,{{cite web|url=https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zimbabwe-cricket-still-hopeful-of-afghanistan-series/ |title=Zimbabwe Cricket Still Hopeful Of Afghanistan Series |work=New Zimbabwe |access-date=6 August 2020}} with a spokesperson from ZC stating that Afghanistan were still committed to touring.{{cite web|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202007230379.html |title=Zimbabwe: Afghan Tour of Zimbabwe Hangs in the Balance |work=All Africa |access-date=6 August 2020}} However, on 8 August 2020, the tour was called off, following an increase of COVID-19 cases in Zimbabwe.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29619831/covid-19-impact-zimbabwe-v-afghanistan-t20i-series-called-off |title=Covid-19 impact: Zimbabwe v Afghanistan T20I series called off |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=8 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/zimbabwes-t20i-series-against-afghanistan-called-off-due-to-coronavirus/articleshow/77431416.cms |title=Zimbabwe's T20I series against Afghanistan called off due to coronavirus |work=Times of India |access-date=8 August 2020}}

A revised tour was scheduled to take place in February 2022.{{cite web|url=https://cricket.af/post/afghanistan-to-host-the-netherlands-for-three-match-odi-series-in-january |title=Afghanistan to host the Netherlands in three-match ODI series in January |work=Afghanistan Cricket Board |access-date=8 December 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/120196/afghanistan-to-host-netherlands-in-qatar-in-january |title=Afghanistan to host Netherlands in Qatar in January |work=CricBuzz |access-date=8 December 2021}} However, in January 2022, both cricket boards agreed to postpone the tour after Zimbabwe Cricket could not secure all the broadcasting services including the Decision Review System.{{cite web|url=https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/120865/afghanistans-tour-of-zimbabwe-postponed-again |title=Afghanistan's tour of Zimbabwe postponed again |work=CricBuzz |access-date=28 January 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/cricket-calendar-zimbabwe-vs-afghanistan-postponed-a-second-time-1299226 |title=Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan postponed a second time |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=29 January 2022}} Despite the second postponement, both cricket boards were working to reschedule the matches as soon as possible.{{cite web|url=https://zimcricket.org/zimbabwe-and-afghanistan-agree-to-postpone-tour/ |title=Zimbabwe and Afghanistan agree to postpone tour |work=Zimbabwe Cricket |access-date=28 January 2022}} In April 2022, the rescheduled dates for the tour were confirmed.{{cite web|url=https://cricket.af/post/afghanistan-tour-to-zimbabwe-rescheduled-to-june |title=Afghanistan tour to Zimbabwe rescheduled to June |work=Afghanistan Cricket Board |access-date=16 April 2022}}

Squads

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin:auto"
colspan=2\|ODIs !colspan=2\|T20Is
{{cr\|ZIM}}{{cite web\|url=https://zimcricket.org/muzarabani-back-to-lead-zimbabwe-attack-against-afghanistan/ \|title=Muzarabani back to lead Zimbabwe attack against Afghanistan \|work=Zimbabwe Cricket \|access-date=2 June 2022}} !{{cr\|AFG\|2013}}{{cite web\|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/zim-vs-afg-2022-afghanistan-call-up-zia-ur-rehman-akbar-for-odis-in-zimbabwe-gulbadin-naib-dropped-1316434 \|title=Afghanistan call up Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar for ODIs in Zimbabwe; Gulbadin dropped \|work=ESPN Cricinfo \|access-date=24 May 2022}} !{{cr\|ZIM}}{{cite web\|url=https://zimcricket.org/marumani-in-duo-out-as-zimbabwe-name-t20i-squad/ \|title=Marumani in, duo out as Zimbabwe name T20I squad \|work=Zimbabwe Cricket \|access-date=10 June 2022}} !{{cr\|AFG\|2013}}{{cite web\|url=https://cricket.af/post/afghanistan-squad-for-zimbabwe-series-named \|title=Afghanistan squad for Zimbabwe series named \|work=Afghanistan Cricket Board \|access-date=24 May 2022}}
style="vertical-align:top" \| Craig Ervine (c) Ryan Burl Regis Chakabva Tendai Chatara Tanaka Chivanga Luke Jongwe Innocent Kaia Takudzwanashe Kaitano Clive Madande Wesley Madhevere Blessing Muzarabani Dion Myers Ainsley Ndlovu Sikandar Raza Milton Shumba Donald Tiripano \| Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) Rahmat Shah (vc) Fareed Ahmad Yamin Ahmadzai Ikram Alikhil (wk) Fazalhaq Farooqi Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) Riaz Hassan Rashid Khan Mohammad Nabi Azmatullah Omarzai Mujeeb Ur Rahman Zia-ur-Rehman Shahidullah Ibrahim Zadran Najibullah Zadran \| Craig Ervine (c) Ryan Burl Regis Chakabva Tendai Chatara Luke Jongwe Innocent Kaia Clive Madande Wesley Madhevere Tadiwanashe Marumani Blessing Muzarabani Dion Myers Ainsley Ndlovu Sikandar Raza Milton Shumba Donald Tiripano \| Mohammad Nabi (c) Najibullah Zadran (vc) Fareed Ahmad Noor Ahmad Sharafuddin Ashraf Fazalhaq Farooqi Usman Ghani Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) Ihsanullah Karim Janat Rashid Khan Nijat Masood Azmatullah Omarzai Darwish Rasooli Afsar Zazai (wk) Hazratullah Zazai

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin:auto"

colspan=2|ODIs

!colspan=2|T20Is

{{cr|ZIM}}{{cite web|url=https://zimcricket.org/muzarabani-back-to-lead-zimbabwe-attack-against-afghanistan/ |title=Muzarabani back to lead Zimbabwe attack against Afghanistan |work=Zimbabwe Cricket |access-date=2 June 2022}}

!{{cr|AFG|2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/zim-vs-afg-2022-afghanistan-call-up-zia-ur-rehman-akbar-for-odis-in-zimbabwe-gulbadin-naib-dropped-1316434 |title=Afghanistan call up Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar for ODIs in Zimbabwe; Gulbadin dropped |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=24 May 2022}}

!{{cr|ZIM}}{{cite web|url=https://zimcricket.org/marumani-in-duo-out-as-zimbabwe-name-t20i-squad/ |title=Marumani in, duo out as Zimbabwe name T20I squad |work=Zimbabwe Cricket |access-date=10 June 2022}}

!{{cr|AFG|2013}}{{cite web|url=https://cricket.af/post/afghanistan-squad-for-zimbabwe-series-named |title=Afghanistan squad for Zimbabwe series named |work=Afghanistan Cricket Board |access-date=24 May 2022}}

style="vertical-align:top"

Afghanistan also named Noor Ahmad and Nijat Masood as reserves in their ODI squad, and Zahir Khan and Sayed Shirzad as reserves in their T20I squad.{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2633443 |title=Zia-ur-Rehman gets maiden call-up in Afghanistan squad for Zimbabwe ODIs |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=24 May 2022}}

Warm-up match

{{Single-innings cricket match

| date = 2 June 2022

| time = 09:15

| daynight =

| team1 = {{cr-rt|AFG|2013}}

| team2 = {{cr|ZIM|name=Zimbabwe Select XI}}

| score1 = 272/6 (50 overs)

| runs1 = Rahmat Shah 81 (83)

| wickets1 = Tony Munyonga 2/33 (7 overs)

| score2 = 204 (44.4 overs)

| runs2 = Innocent Kaia 53 (66)

| wickets2 = Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/18 (9 overs)

| result = Afghanistan won by 68 runs

| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1317891.html Scorecard]

| venue = Old Hararians, Harare

| umpires = David Shawane (Zim) and Percival Sizara (Zim)

| motm =

| toss = Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat.

| rain =

| notes =

}}

ODI series

=1st ODI=

{{Single-innings cricket match

| date = 4 June 2022

| time = 09:15

| daynight =

| team1 = {{cr-rt|AFG|2013}}

| team2 = {{cr|ZIM}}

| score1 = 276/5 (50 overs)

| runs1 = Rahmat Shah 94 (120)

| wickets1 = Blessing Muzarabani 4/52 (9 overs)

| score2 = 216 (50 overs)

| runs2 = Sikandar Raza 67 (78)

| wickets2 = Mohammad Nabi 4/34 (10 overs)

| result = Afghanistan won by 60 runs

| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1310943.html Scorecard]

| venue = Harare Sports Club, Harare

| umpires = Marais Erasmus (SA) and Langton Rusere (Zim)

| motm = Rahmat Shah (Afg)

| toss = Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field.

| rain =

| notes = Tanaka Chivanga and Innocent Kaia (Zim) both made their ODI debuts.

World Cup Super League points: Afghanistan 10, Zimbabwe 0.

}}

=2nd ODI=

{{Single-innings cricket match

| date = 6 June 2022

| time = 09:15

| daynight =

| team1 = {{cr-rt|ZIM}}

| team2 = {{cr|AFG|2013}}

| score1 = 228 (50 overs)

| runs1 = Innocent Kaia 63 (74)

| wickets1 = Fareed Ahmad 3/56 (10 overs)

| score2 = 229/2 (44.3 overs)

| runs2 = Ibrahim Zadran 120* (141)

| wickets2 = Donald Tiripano 1/32 (6 overs)

| result = Afghanistan won by 8 wickets

| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/1310944.html Scorecard]

| venue = Harare Sports Club, Harare

| umpires = Iknow Chabi (Zim) and Marais Erasmus (SA)

| motm = Ibrahim Zadran (Afg)

| toss = Afghanistan won the toss and elected to field.

| rain =

| notes = Ibrahim Zadran (Afg) scored his first century in ODIs.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/afghanistan-in-zimbabwe-2022-1310918/zimbabwe-vs-afghanistan-2nd-odi-1310944/match-report |title=Bowlers, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah help Afghanistan seal ODI series |work=ESPN Cricinfo |access-date=6 June 2022}}