Afghanistan enigma machine Rashid Khan claimed three wickets as the visitors mauled Zimbabwe in the third ODI at Harare. Their latest win enabled them to complete the clean sweep over the hosts.
Prior to the match, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and opted to field first. The Zimbabweans lost wickets at regular intervals before getting folded out for just 135.
Captain Craig Ervine departed for a duck after the hosts lost both their openers, Innocent Kaia and Wessley Madhevere, early in the innings. Zimbabwe's veteran batter Sikander Raza top scored with 38 while all-rounder Ryan Burl (21) contributed with handy runs in the middle.
Every Afghanistan bowler put to action ended up taking wickets. Khan's 3-31, Mohammad Nabi's 2-21 and Fazalhaq Farooqi's 2-25 became the headline acts of the first half of the game. While Fareed Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Azmatullah Omarzai picked up a wicket each.
While it began on an unsteady note, the visitor's response soon gained stability with crucial 30s by captain Shahidi and all-rounder Nabi. The latter even struck a six to deliver the knock-out punch.
Afghanistan's tour of Zimbabwe will now continue with the T20I segment of the itinerary. The first match will be played on June 11, and like the ODIs, all the games will be played at the Harare Sports Club.
Brief scores:
Zimbabwe 135 (44.5 overs)
Sikandar Raza 38 (77), Ryan Burl 21 (37);
Rashid Khan 3/31, Mohammad Nabi 2/21
Afghanistan 137-6 (37.4 overs)
Hashmatullah Shahidi 38 (70), Mohammad Nabi 34* (47)
Blessing Muzarabani 2/18, Tendai Chatara 2/32
Afghanistan won by 4 wickets and claimed the series 3-0