A clinical all-round performance helped Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the ODI tri-series final in the UAE. Rashid Khan bagged three wickets, while Mohammad Nabi, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Bilal Sami picked up two apiece as they bundled Zimbabwe out for 169 despite Sikandar Raza's 68. Ibrahim Zadran anchored the chase with an unbeaten 70 off 96 balls, receiving support from Rahmanullah Gurbaz (36) and Rahmat Shah (43), as Afghanistan reached the target in 34.3 overs to complete an unbeaten run through the tri-series.
After Zimbabwe opted to bat, Brian Bennett struck a couple of boundaries but was otherwise kept quiet. He eventually fell for a 21-ball nine to Azmatullah Omarzai. Farooqi had Tadiwanashe Marumani bowled before Bennett's departure and also sent Tafadzwa Tsiga back cheaply, reducing Zimbabwe to 26 for 3 in the seventh over. Sami then accounted for Brendan Taylor, who edged an innocuous delivery behind, as Zimbabwe slipped to 55 for 4.
Raza and Ryan Burl began the repair job, negotiating Afghanistan's disciplined attack and gradually finding opportunities to score. Raza brought up a hard-earned fifty, his 27th in ODIs, while Burl chipped in with 31 off 45 balls. Their 60-run partnership offered Zimbabwe a way back before Nabi broke it, having Burl caught at deep square leg. Nabi soon had Wessly Madhevere stumped, claiming his 300th international wicket in the process.
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