Sediqullah Atal’s maiden ODI century of 104 runs led Afghanistan to a resounding 232-run victory over Zimbabwe in Harare, taking a 1-0 series lead. The match saw Zimbabwe bowled out for a meager 54 runs, with notable performances from Afghan bowlers Allah Ghazanfar, Naveed Zadran, and Fazalhaq Farooqi. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi commended the openers’ efforts, while Atal expressed happiness with the team’s performance.
On Thursday in Harare, Sediqullah Atal achieved his first One Day International (ODI) century, guiding Afghanistan to a dominant victory over Zimbabwe by 232 runs. Throughout the match, Atal struck an impressive 104 runs, complemented by Abdul Malik’s significant contribution of 84 runs. Together, they established a formidable partnership of 191 runs for the opening wicket, culminating in Afghanistan posting a total of 286 for six in their allotted fifty overs.
Zimbabwe struggled to respond effectively when they entered the crease, with the Afghan bowlers quickly asserting their dominance. Early in their innings, Ben Curran was run out on the final ball of the first over, setting a troubling tone for the home team. Only Sikandar Raza, with 19 runs not out, and Sean Williams with 16 runs managed to reach double figures, resulting in Zimbabwe being bowled out for a mere 54 runs in just 17.5 overs.
The Afghan bowling unit, spearheaded by Allah Ghazanfar (3 wickets for 9 runs), Naveed Zadran (3 wickets for 13 runs), and Fazalhaq Farooqi (2 wickets for 15 runs), inflicted considerable damage on the Zimbabwean batting lineup. Following his exceptional performance, Atal expressed his contentment, stating, “I am very happy with my performance and that of the team. We won a fantastic game of cricket.”
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi praised the efforts of the openers, stating, “I was very impressed with the way the openers batted. The credit goes to them. We outclassed them in all departments.” This victory marks another disappointing chapter for Zimbabwe in ODI cricket, following a previous match that was abandoned due to inclement weather.
With their current record, Zimbabwe shares the unenviable distinction of having the lowest ODI score in history, having recorded a mere 35 runs against Sri Lanka in Harare in 2004. This latest defeat only amplifies their ongoing struggles in the format, reflecting a turbulent period for the Zimbabwean national team.
The context of this match falls within a three-match ODI series between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, highlighting the competitive nature of international cricket. Zimbabwe’s previous game against Afghanistan was significantly disrupted by rain, allowing for limited play, which further emphasizes the pressure on the team to perform in this subsequent match. Afghanistan is increasingly emerging as a competitive cricketing nation, while Zimbabwe continues to grapple with its performance consistency.
In summary, Sediqullah Atal’s remarkable century propelled Afghanistan to a heavy victory over Zimbabwe, marking a strong start for the visitors in the series. The overwhelming performance of the Afghan bowlers, coupled with the shaky display of the Zimbabwean batting order, underscores the challenges the home team faces in the ODI format. This match not only highlights Afghanistan’s growing prowess in international cricket but also the ongoing struggles of Zimbabwe, raising questions about their future performance.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
