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RESULTODIFinal · Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan
Afghanistan won by 7 wkts
Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat
- Match
- Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, Final
- Date
- 23 Oct 2026 to 24 Oct 2026
- Start
- 17:00 IST · 11:30 GMT
- Venue
- Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah
- Toss
- Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat
Venue guide
- Capacity
- 16,000
- Opened
- 1982
- Ends
- Pavilion End, Sharjah Club End
- Home to
- United Arab Emirates
- Floodlights
- Yes
Recent meetings
| Ibrahim ZadranAfghanistan · Batter | 70* (96)Bat · R (B) | 44s | 16s | 72.9SR | not outOut |
| Rashid KhanAfghanistan · All-rounder | 3Bowl · Inns | 26.2Overs | 11Wkts | 4/17Best | 1Bat · Inns | 8Runs | 8.00Avg | 050s | 0100s |
ZIMZimbabwe 169 (43.3)
AFGAfghanistan 170/3 (34.3)
RUNS PER OVER
SCORE BY OVER
Final overs
Full commentary- The winning trophy is presented to Rahmat who is all smiles. Then he takes it and gives it to Omarzai and the Afghanistan team pose in front of the champions hoarding. 3 little kids are there sitting on the ground - probably the children of the players or support staff. 7 wins in a row for Rahmat Shah to start his captaincy career and he is unbeaten still in this format. Afghanistan and Zimbabwe next meet in a T20I series (starts on the 27th of this month) and the Tests here in the UAE. We will be there to bring you all the action from there. For now this is it. Bye bye from all of us here.
- Rahmat Shah | Afghanistan captain (translated from Pashto): [On winning the tri-series and what the victory means to Afghanistan] Congratulations to all our countrymen. It is certainly a matter of great pride that we have won this tri-series. [On the importance of rotating the strike and building the partnership without hitting boundaries for 98 deliveries] Our discussion was that we had to bat deep and rotate the strike. The more we rotate the strike, the more pressure we put on the opposition. That was one of the reasons. In a final, we didn't want to give our wickets away either. They were looking for wickets, so we didn't try too much to hit boundaries. We focused on rotating the strike. [On Afghanistan's winning run and becoming the first Afghan captain to record seven consecutive ODI victories] Whatever we have achieved, whether in batting or bowling, is the result of everyone's effort. That is why our winning percentage has also improved. God willing, we will try to maintain this momentum.
- Raza (3/3): [On Zimbabwe's prospects in the upcoming T20I and Test series against Afghanistan] Yeah, hopefully if we can get over the injuries that we have already. If everybody's fit, I feel like the T20 series and the Test series should be a better contested series than the ODI series against Afghanistan, because we would have been here for at least 10 days, and I think that would have given us enough time to acclimatise as well. So I'm very hopeful that the T20 series and the Test match will be a better series. But certainly the ODI series we found it tough, and unfortunately it didn't help that three or four of our boys have been injured.
- Raza (2/3): [On his own performance, batting through cramps and building a partnership with Ryan Burl] The team needed me to grind. When you grind and you're trying to do the right things, I always say that cricket rewards you back. I just think that we have to understand that we haven't had a chance to acclimatise. We only got here two days before the first game. So I think that's an area that we need to address back with the board as well, that hopefully when we come to subcontinent, try and send us early so that we can get used to these conditions. These are alien conditions for us, especially in this month. It has been very hot and humid and the body has struggled to cope with it. But for me personally, when I look back, it was the team needed me to grind. There has to be a mental toughness. I mean, in the first game, I reckon Craig Ervine was batting on 30 when he tore his hamstring. I mean, he's got a grade one tear, but he batted on till he was on 90. And that is what makes us a team. We grind, we graft for one another, we put our team needs before us, and today was no different for me.
- Sikandar Raza | Zimbabwe captain (1/3): [On Zimbabwe's defeat in the final and whether he felt let down by a lack of support from the other batters] No, I wouldn't say that it feels disappointing that I was left alone. Cricket is never about one guy. There was a lot of good things that was done from the other boys as well. But for me, as much you said congratulations for making the final, but that is not how we want to play the final. This business of us making the final needs to stop. We address that in the changing room, that once we get to the final, we have to win the final. We have to win the trophies. This Zimbabwe needs to change. We have made plenty of finals and just existed. And for me, the biggest disappointment of this tour has been that we've been 20 for 3 and 30 for 3, and that's something we have addressed. But unfortunately we haven't got it right in three games, and that's an area of concern.
- Rashid (2/2): [On the lessons Afghanistan need to take from the series against India] Well, more important will be the top order, like our batting order, where we have to be taking the responsibility and taking the game deeper and deeper. And other area where I feel like we need to improve is the bowling department, I feel, especially the fast bowling department. I think we have lots of hard work to do, and to win the big event, like an ICC event, Asia Cup, something, I think we have to be very strong in those areas. And as long we work on that and we better in that area, I think we can beat any side. [On Afghanistan's preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup] Well, we still have lots of hard work to be done, lots of areas we still need to improve. We can't say like fully 100 percent ready and we can beat any side. I think going to the conditions where we haven't played a lot of cricket as a team in South Africa. So I think there will be challenges for us. Some areas we need to improve, and I think still lots of hard work to be done for us to make sure we have a better World Cup than we had in 2023 World Cup. So lots of hard work to be done, still it's just the beginning, and it's a good couple of series wins for us, but as I said, we need to improve lots of things in the batting and in the bowling as well in how we're going to manage performing in a big stage.
- Rashid Khan | Player of the Series (1/2): [On taking 11 wickets in three matches and winning another PoTS award in ODIs] And nothing much, just try my best to keep the consistency as I have and keep the hard work up and keep repeating my performance, and try my best to beat my last game performance. So I think that's something which always have the mentality and making sure I enjoy my game. That's something which is more important for me. [On carrying this momentum into the T20I series after Afghanistan's recent 3-0 series loss to India] Well, good morale for us as a team to go for the T20 series. We haven't had that great series against India and lots of learning from that. But for us, the challenge will be like how we as a team manage ourselves to perform well in T20s as well and to make sure we, those areas we were, like struggling against India, try to improve it day by day, game by game, and take this momentum to the T20s.
- Ibrahim Zadran - Player of the match: [On scoring 194 runs in the tri-series and carrying his form into the T20I series] Yeah, the rhythm was there. I was just trying to enjoy myself, get the rhythm and take it to the T20 series. Yes, the 50-over series was finished. So thankful. I will try to perform well and give 100%. [On his partnership with Rahmat Shah] We have enjoyed it. In the past, we had a brilliant partnership between us. We always try to stay calm, just play according to the situation and condition. Yes, we have enjoyed. We were communicating, you know, about the small partnerships and targeting their bowlers. Just trying to get the ball busy, and yeah, this is what we have done. [On staying composed despite losing quick wickets] See, I have been trying to stay calm in any kind of situation. Yes, we lost the wicket, but I was just trying to stay at the crease and just focus on the rotation of the strike. Just trying to think about, you know, every single ball after, you know, hitting boundaries, and just keep to rotate the strike. This is what I have done, and it was giving me positive energy.
- Gurbaz 5/5: [On what Rahmat Shah is like as a captain and whether he is as calm on the field as he appears] You can see from the camera screen, the way you can see outside, he's exactly the same in the ground. He's very calm, cool. He tries to communicate things. He tries to ask every single person in the squad. He's not someone that, oh, I am okay, no, I don't need anyone. He will try to come and take advantage from everyone's experience. So he's some of that guy. I mean, he's very calm, as you can see (with) his batting. As calm as he is in the batting, he's calm as a captain as well. So he's a legend, no doubt. He's such a calm guy and good cricketer as well.
- Gurbaz (4/5): [On Rashid Khan's bowling and his importance to Afghanistan] To be really honest, I played with Afghanistan from 2019, if I'm not wrong. From 2019 I started playing with him. I think he's one of the best. You can just say simply that he's one of the best in every format. Whenever he comes, whenever you need something from him, he will just get it for you. So, sometimes when we need to break the partnership, I just tell him, like, bro, we need a partnership, please. [On being surprised by one of Rashid Khan's deliveries] I was not actually ready. He bowled from very behind the wicket. So yeah, he's doing too many things. I tell him, I know your googly, I know your legspin, but I was not ready for this ball. I was telling him that I was not ready. [On his understanding with Rashid Khan as a wicketkeeper] Yeah, I can understand him really well because I'm keeping him for the last six, seven years. I think I know, I understand him really well. I know exactly what he's doing. So that's why it's a little bit easy for me as a wicket-keeper. Otherwise, keeping is not easy for him because you don't know where the ball is going, especially he's a little bit faster than normal spinner. But yeah, I just understand from the hand and finger where the ball is coming. I see, okay, I just try to... [On the difficulty of facing Rashid Khan as a batter] Yeah, yeah. You know, honestly, he's one of the best in the world, you can say. It's just easy to say to pick him, but when you play against him, it's very difficult. When I play against him in the league, I always try to take a single. It's another variation to him. So yeah, he's a very difficult bowler.
- Gurbaz (3/5): [On the opposition's plans to restrict their running between the wickets] I think such a good point you (Maharoof) mentioned. Actually, nowadays whenever we batting together, all the mid-on or the mid-off fielder will be very close to the wicket. So we have the advantage to hit boundaries easy now, because they try to stop the singles. So I think most of the teams make plans against us. So we understand that also, we need to realize that, okay, the fielders in now, we need to take advantage to hit out of the fielder. So yeah, good point actually. I will try to mention that. [On the exchange with Blessing Muzarabani during the match] Because I never seen him be angry on me. I just always call him my brother from another mother. So the good thing was that he was angry on me. I was, okay, no problem. So I need to be a little bit more aggressive and focused, because when the bowler tries to be aggressive on me, and then I try to be more focused. So I was happy for that. And then I just tell him that you're my teammate also in ILT20. Don't be too much aggressive on me. [On whether the exchange was his way of showing affection towards Muzarabani] Yeah, I think so. But he was not showing any love at all. He was just angry till the end. But he was good in the shake hands, so he was smiling.
- Gurbaz (2/5): [On preparing for the upcoming World Cup] Yeah, just try to understand a little bit more my game and my quality. I believe in my shots, I believe in my skills as well, but at the same time, I just need to be a little bit more sensible, I think, which I can see from everyone. I can learn from everyone as well. But yeah, I think sometimes when it's T20 cricket too much, and then I'm going at the same gear. So yeah, I need to work on it. I will try my best to come to my own zone, ODI zone. [On his partnership with Ibrahim Zadran and how they complement each other] The good thing is between our partnership is just understand each other really well. The way he sometimes (says) it's not your day, you need to understand that another side is also able to score, and Ibrahim was the guy who was telling me today that, okay, if it's not your day, just try to give me a strike, because he was completely middle the ball. He was seeing the ball and he was in a good zone. I try to give him a strike a little bit early on, and then suddenly some shots, I mean, strokes also come. I hit some few boundaries and I just get my rhythm. But yeah, Ibrahim is one of the guys that always take the game deeper. I always try to just take advantage from the first 10 overs, and then whenever I get out of that, and then I try to go longer.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (1/5): [On winning Afghanistan's first-ever ODI tri-series title] Yeah, I think it was a very good for us because we were home. Yeah, I think overall it was a very good tournament and everything was very nice, and we were expecting that from the ACB to be more quality. And we keep continuing the good things. [On the contribution of the entire squad, including the reserves] See, that's the beauty of cricket. Even if you're not playing and still you do your 100% in the field and in 12th men, they give waters to the boys because it was hot. It's not easy to play ODIs in this weather. The way the guys help us inside the ground, that was unbelievable. Good job everyone. [On his approach to ODI batting compared to T20 cricket] See, I think the cricket is totally changed now, to be really honest. 440 is not safe, 450 is not safe. So you need to be very aggressive. At the same time, you need to understand the situation as well. I mean, whenever Ibrahim is with me, I feel like he's in another side, he's keeping his side safe. So I try to be a little bit aggressive, which is my nature. At the same time, I just try to do something what the team expect from me and what I can do for the team. But at the same time, again, I need to be a little bit more calm. I understand that. I realize things. I need to work on it. And also because the World Cup is coming on.
- 21:49 Local Time, 17:49 GMT, 23:19 IST: Afghanistan the best side in this tri-series and they have won this final at their own pace. Plenty of Afghan support in the stands and they are all delighted. Evans and Ibrahim Zadran have a chat as they walk back. The former checking the bat of the latter. Zimbabwe like Bangladesh in the last game didn't get enough on the board to pose a threat in this game. The openers began well with Gurbaz showing aggressive intent. Once Zimbabwe didn't get early wickets, that was game done then. Even though they got two wickets in quick time, Rahmat Shah and Zadran shut the door to take their side home. Afghanistan were easily the best side in this tri-series and in these conditions both Bangladesh and Zimbabwe were no match to them. Stay tuned for the post-match stuff...
- Over 35 · 6 runs (0 2 4)
- 34.34Madhevere to Hashmatullah Shahidi, FOUR, Afghanistan win the tri-series. On a good length outside off, Hashmatullah Shahidi goes on the back foot and cuts hard, beats point's dive to his left. Has the legs to go and touch the cushions. Shahidi and Raza share a big smile on their faces as the post-match formalities follow
- 34.22Madhevere to Hashmatullah Shahidi, 2 runs, tossed up full just outside off, Hashmatullah Shahidi gets forward to drive and the thick outside-edge runs wide of backward point for two
- 34.1•Madhevere to Hashmatullah Shahidi, no run, slower and on a good length outside off, Hashmatullah Shahidi goes on the back foot and punches to backward point
- End of over 34 · 2 runs (0 0 0 1 1 0)AFG 164/3Ibrahim Zadran 70(96) · Hashmatullah Shahidi 1(2) · Ryan Burl 6-0-19-0
- 33.6•Ryan Burl to Ibrahim Zadran, no run, flat good length from the front of the hand outside off, Ibrahim Zadran gets forward to drive and finds cover-point in the ring
- 33.51Ryan Burl to Hashmatullah Shahidi, 1 run, a slip in as Ryan Burl bowls on a good length on leg-stump, Hashmatullah Shahidi goes on the back foot and nudges it to the vacant deep square-leg area
- 33.41Ryan Burl to Ibrahim Zadran, 1 run, again front of the hand and full on off, Ibrahim Zadran gets forward to drive to long-on
- 33.3•Ryan Burl to Ibrahim Zadran, no run, leg-break and on a good length on off, Ibrahim Zadran goes on the back foot to work it to the right of Ryan Burl who gets across and cuts it off
- 33.2•Ryan Burl to Ibrahim Zadran, no run, the leg-break and doesn't turn on off, Ibrahim Zadran goes on the back foot and punches it back
- 33.1•Ryan Burl to Ibrahim Zadran, no run, good length and from the front of the hand on middle, Ibrahim Zadran whips to mid-wicket
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Bennettc & b Azmatullah Omarzai | 9 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 42.9 |
| Tadiwanashe Marumanib Fazalhaq Farooqi | 12 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 109.1 |
| Tafadzwa Tsigac AM Ghazanfar b Fazalhaq Farooqi | 4 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 50.0 |
| Brendan Taylorc Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Bilal Sami | 7 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 63.6 |
| Sikandar Razac Ibrahim Zadran b Rashid Khan | 68 | 83 | 3 | 3 | 81.9 |
| Ryan Burlc Bilal Sami b Mohammad Nabi | 31 | 45 | 2 | 0 | 68.9 |
| Wessly Madheverest Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Mohammad Nabi | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 50.0 |
| Brad Evanslbw b Rashid Khan | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14.3 |
| Newman Nyamhurib Rashid Khan | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Wellington Masakadzalbw b Bilal Sami | 8 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 32.0 |
| Blessing Muzarabani*not out | 17 | 39 | 1 | 1 | 43.6 |
Extras9 (b 4, lb 1, w 4, nb 0)
Total169 (43.3 ov, RR 3.89)
Fall of wickets: 22-1 (Tadiwanashe Marumani, 4.2 ov), 26-2 (Brian Bennett, 6.0 ov), 26-3 (Tafadzwa Tsiga, 6.4 ov), 55-4 (Brendan Taylor, 12.1 ov), 115-5 (Ryan Burl, 26.4 ov), 125-6 (Wessly Madhevere, 28.2 ov), 128-7 (Brad Evans, 30.0 ov), 130-8 (Newman Nyamhuri, 32.0 ov), 137-9 (Sikandar Raza, 33.4 ov), 169-10 (Wellington Masakadza, 43.3 ov)
| Bowler · AFG | O | M | R | W | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 7 | 0 | 41 | 2 | 5.86 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 5 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1.20 |
| Bilal Sami | 5.3 | 0 | 27 | 2 | 4.91 |
| AM Ghazanfar | 6 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 4.00 |
| Rashid Khan | 10 | 0 | 41 | 3 | 4.10 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 10 | 1 | 25 | 2 | 2.50 |
Zimbabwe- 1Brian BennettAll-rounder
- 2Tadiwanashe MarumaniWicketkeeper
- 3Tafadzwa TsigaWicketkeeper
- 4Brendan Taylor(wk)Wicketkeeper
- 5Sikandar Raza(c)All-rounder
- 6Wessly MadhevereAll-rounder
- 7Ryan BurlAll-rounder
- 8Brad EvansAll-rounder
- 9Newman NyamhuriBowler
- 10Wellington MasakadzaBowler
- 11Blessing MuzarabaniBowler
Bench
Afghanistan- 1Rahmanullah Gurbaz(wk)Wicketkeeper
- 2Ibrahim ZadranBatter
- 3Sediqullah AtalBatter
- 4Rahmat Shah(c)Batter
- 5Hashmatullah ShahidiBatter
- 6Azmatullah OmarzaiAll-rounder
- 7Mohammad NabiAll-rounder
- 8Rashid KhanAll-rounder
- 9AM GhazanfarBowler
- 10Bilal SamiBowler
- 11Fazalhaq FarooqiBowler
Bench
- 34.34Madhevere to Hashmatullah Shahidi, FOUR, Afghanistan win the tri-series. On a good length outside off, Hashmatullah Shahidi goes on the back foot and cuts hard, beats point's dive to his left. Has the legs to go and touch the cushions. Shahidi and Raza share a big smile on their faces as the post-match formalities follow
- 32.5WMadhevere to Rahmat Shah, out Caught by Ryan Burl!! Something to cheer for Zimbabwe. A flying Burl at mid-wicket has plucked off a one-handed stunner to his left. It's short on off, Rahmat Shah goes on the back foot and pulls, doesn't get the elevation but still it was travelling. Burl leaps and is airborne when he takes it. Lands with the ball safely lodged in his hand and is all smiles. Raza goes to him to celebrate. The timing of the leap was key and Burl got it spot-on. More Glenn Phillips like and the slow-motion replays only make the catch look even better. Rahmat Shah c Ryan Burl b Madhevere 43(63) [4s-1 6s-1]
- 29.66Wellington Masakadza to Rahmat Shah, SIX, that's smashed into the deep mid-wicket stands. Dragged down and Rahmat Shah is quick to go back and pull it high and mightily over deep mid-wicket
- 26.54Sikandar Raza to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR, that's in the slot for the slogsweep and Ibrahim Zadran puts it away. Sinks on his back knee and goes over mid-wicket. No deep mid-wicket and it's one bounce over the ropes
- 26.24Sikandar Raza to Rahmat Shah, FOUR, no sweeper cover and that's a boundary after 98 balls. Tossed up full outside off, Rahmat Shah gets forward and opens the face of the bat to square-drive wide of backward point
- 25.1UDRS reviewBlessing Muzarabani to Rahmat Shah, no run, Blessing Muzarabani appeals for a caught behind. Brendan Taylor and Burl tell Raza they didn't hear anything. Zimbabwe review. A flat line on UltraEdge and no bat. Slight murmur but there was no edge. Muzarabani and Raza share a big smile at the end of it all. Burl saw the replay on the big screen and when the murmur came, jumped up in delight. But nothing serious about it. It's a rising short of length delivery outside off, Rahmat Shah looks to glide it down and misses
- 23.4FFiftyBlessing Muzarabani to Ibrahim Zadran, 1 run, 50 for Ibrahim Zadran. Raises the bat and gives a thumbs up. Met with a hug by Rahmat Shah. On a short of length outside off, he goes on the back foot and opens the face of the bat to glide it wide of backward point
- 18.6OTeam milestoneRyan Burl to Rahmat Shah, 1 run, slower and good length outside off, Rahmat Shah goes on the back foot and punches to sweeper cover
- 13.3WNewman Nyamhuri to Sediqullah Atal, out Caught by Brendan Taylor!! A rare failure for Sediqullah Atal. He shadow-practices the pull after getting dismissed. It's a short delivery outside off, Atal goes on the back foot to pull and the top-edge is found. Easy catch for Brendan Taylor. Newman Nyamhuri has his first. Atal expected the ball to come quicker and it didn't. Sediqullah Atal c Brendan Taylor b Newman Nyamhuri 6(12) [4s-1]
- 9.54Newman Nyamhuri to Sediqullah Atal, FOUR, look at the exasperation on Raza's face. It's a length delivery and sliding down leg, Sediqullah Atal flicks and glances it fine to the fine-leg fence. Gets off the mark to his first delivery
- 9.4WNewman Nyamhuri to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, out Caught by Madhevere!! Soft dismissal and rightly Rahmanullah Gurbaz is disappointed. A slower-ball off-cutter and full outside off, Gurbaz didn't go hard on the drive, wanted to place it. Opened the face on that and it's a simple catch to backward point. Zimbabwe badly needed that. Rahmanullah Gurbaz c Madhevere b Newman Nyamhuri 36(31) [4s-4 6s-2]
- 8.54Brad Evans to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR, the slower-ball and it's too full on middle and leg. It swung in seam-up and in the slot, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets forward and hammers the loft as Ibrahim Zadran ducks to allow the ball to go through
- 8.26Brad Evans to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, SIX, Rahmanullah Gurbaz is in the mood tonight. He backs away to this length delivery on middle, lofts so cleanly and it's 82m straight down the ground
- 7.54Newman Nyamhuri to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR, what an emphatic pull that is. Off the front foot. It's short of length on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz swivels as he smashes it wide of mid-wicket
- 7.34Newman Nyamhuri to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR, full and in the slot on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets forward and lofts over mid-off. It's one bounce over the ropes. The fielder was inside the ring
- 6.26Blessing Muzarabani to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, SIX, hooked for six. It's short and at the body of Rahmanullah Gurbaz who goes on the back foot and swivels to hook this over the fine-leg fence
- 5.5UDRS reviewNewman Nyamhuri to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, leg byes, 1 run, Sikandar Raza wants a dead-ball as the third ump called it a no shot offered. But Ahmad Shah Pakteen signals a legbye. Zimbabwe lose the review as it's pitching well outside leg. Full and Rahmanullah Gurbaz belatedly brought the bat down to flick. Debatable if that was a shot or not. Thuds into the pads as he was initially beaten by the pace and direction of the delivery. Rolls away to the square-leg region. The third ump went for ball-tracking and it showed to be pitching well outside leg. Gurbaz was looking to leave that and then at the last moment, brought the bat down to flick. Didn't get anywhere close to the ball
- 5.34Newman Nyamhuri to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, FOUR, Marumani charged in for the catch at third man and ends up giving away four. Length delivery outside off, angling away from the right-hander, Rahmanullah Gurbaz comes down the track and lofts, the thick outside-edge falls well short of Marumani and he doesn't get the body behind it
- 3.66Brad Evans to Ibrahim Zadran, SIX, when it drifts into his pads like that, he can easily put them away. Length delivery and on leg-stump, the pickup flick and it's timed so well. All the way over deep square-leg
- 2.34Blessing Muzarabani to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR, wild and premeditated and the inside-edge helps Ibrahim Zadran. It's short of length outside off, he goes on the back foot to pull, the thick inside-edge falls in front of Brendan Taylor as he dives to his left and beats him. One hand came off the bat and Zadran looked ugly there. Blessing Muzarabani shakes his head as he walks back
- 1.44Brad Evans to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR, that's too straight and too full. It's on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran gets forward to flick up and over mid-wicket. Gets his second four of the over
- 1.24Brad Evans to Ibrahim Zadran, FOUR, fine shot this. It's full on the fourth-stump line, Ibrahim Zadran gets forward and lets the bottom-hand take over, flicks and beats mid-wicket and mid-on. Wristy and effective
- The winning trophy is presented to Rahmat who is all smiles. Then he takes it and gives it to Omarzai and the Afghanistan team pose in front of the champions hoarding. 3 little kids are there sitting on the ground - probably the children of the players or support staff. 7 wins in a row for Rahmat Shah to start his captaincy career and he is unbeaten still in this format. Afghanistan and Zimbabwe next meet in a T20I series (starts on the 27th of this month) and the Tests here in the UAE. We will be there to bring you all the action from there. For now this is it. Bye bye from all of us here.
- Rahmat Shah | Afghanistan captain (translated from Pashto): [On winning the tri-series and what the victory means to Afghanistan] Congratulations to all our countrymen. It is certainly a matter of great pride that we have won this tri-series. [On the importance of rotating the strike and building the partnership without hitting boundaries for 98 deliveries] Our discussion was that we had to bat deep and rotate the strike. The more we rotate the strike, the more pressure we put on the opposition. That was one of the reasons. In a final, we didn't want to give our wickets away either. They were looking for wickets, so we didn't try too much to hit boundaries. We focused on rotating the strike. [On Afghanistan's winning run and becoming the first Afghan captain to record seven consecutive ODI victories] Whatever we have achieved, whether in batting or bowling, is the result of everyone's effort. That is why our winning percentage has also improved. God willing, we will try to maintain this momentum.
- Raza (3/3): [On Zimbabwe's prospects in the upcoming T20I and Test series against Afghanistan] Yeah, hopefully if we can get over the injuries that we have already. If everybody's fit, I feel like the T20 series and the Test series should be a better contested series than the ODI series against Afghanistan, because we would have been here for at least 10 days, and I think that would have given us enough time to acclimatise as well. So I'm very hopeful that the T20 series and the Test match will be a better series. But certainly the ODI series we found it tough, and unfortunately it didn't help that three or four of our boys have been injured.
- Raza (2/3): [On his own performance, batting through cramps and building a partnership with Ryan Burl] The team needed me to grind. When you grind and you're trying to do the right things, I always say that cricket rewards you back. I just think that we have to understand that we haven't had a chance to acclimatise. We only got here two days before the first game. So I think that's an area that we need to address back with the board as well, that hopefully when we come to subcontinent, try and send us early so that we can get used to these conditions. These are alien conditions for us, especially in this month. It has been very hot and humid and the body has struggled to cope with it. But for me personally, when I look back, it was the team needed me to grind. There has to be a mental toughness. I mean, in the first game, I reckon Craig Ervine was batting on 30 when he tore his hamstring. I mean, he's got a grade one tear, but he batted on till he was on 90. And that is what makes us a team. We grind, we graft for one another, we put our team needs before us, and today was no different for me.
- Sikandar Raza | Zimbabwe captain (1/3): [On Zimbabwe's defeat in the final and whether he felt let down by a lack of support from the other batters] No, I wouldn't say that it feels disappointing that I was left alone. Cricket is never about one guy. There was a lot of good things that was done from the other boys as well. But for me, as much you said congratulations for making the final, but that is not how we want to play the final. This business of us making the final needs to stop. We address that in the changing room, that once we get to the final, we have to win the final. We have to win the trophies. This Zimbabwe needs to change. We have made plenty of finals and just existed. And for me, the biggest disappointment of this tour has been that we've been 20 for 3 and 30 for 3, and that's something we have addressed. But unfortunately we haven't got it right in three games, and that's an area of concern.
- Rashid (2/2): [On the lessons Afghanistan need to take from the series against India] Well, more important will be the top order, like our batting order, where we have to be taking the responsibility and taking the game deeper and deeper. And other area where I feel like we need to improve is the bowling department, I feel, especially the fast bowling department. I think we have lots of hard work to do, and to win the big event, like an ICC event, Asia Cup, something, I think we have to be very strong in those areas. And as long we work on that and we better in that area, I think we can beat any side. [On Afghanistan's preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup] Well, we still have lots of hard work to be done, lots of areas we still need to improve. We can't say like fully 100 percent ready and we can beat any side. I think going to the conditions where we haven't played a lot of cricket as a team in South Africa. So I think there will be challenges for us. Some areas we need to improve, and I think still lots of hard work to be done for us to make sure we have a better World Cup than we had in 2023 World Cup. So lots of hard work to be done, still it's just the beginning, and it's a good couple of series wins for us, but as I said, we need to improve lots of things in the batting and in the bowling as well in how we're going to manage performing in a big stage.
- Rashid Khan | Player of the Series (1/2): [On taking 11 wickets in three matches and winning another PoTS award in ODIs] And nothing much, just try my best to keep the consistency as I have and keep the hard work up and keep repeating my performance, and try my best to beat my last game performance. So I think that's something which always have the mentality and making sure I enjoy my game. That's something which is more important for me. [On carrying this momentum into the T20I series after Afghanistan's recent 3-0 series loss to India] Well, good morale for us as a team to go for the T20 series. We haven't had that great series against India and lots of learning from that. But for us, the challenge will be like how we as a team manage ourselves to perform well in T20s as well and to make sure we, those areas we were, like struggling against India, try to improve it day by day, game by game, and take this momentum to the T20s.
- Ibrahim Zadran - Player of the match: [On scoring 194 runs in the tri-series and carrying his form into the T20I series] Yeah, the rhythm was there. I was just trying to enjoy myself, get the rhythm and take it to the T20 series. Yes, the 50-over series was finished. So thankful. I will try to perform well and give 100%. [On his partnership with Rahmat Shah] We have enjoyed it. In the past, we had a brilliant partnership between us. We always try to stay calm, just play according to the situation and condition. Yes, we have enjoyed. We were communicating, you know, about the small partnerships and targeting their bowlers. Just trying to get the ball busy, and yeah, this is what we have done. [On staying composed despite losing quick wickets] See, I have been trying to stay calm in any kind of situation. Yes, we lost the wicket, but I was just trying to stay at the crease and just focus on the rotation of the strike. Just trying to think about, you know, every single ball after, you know, hitting boundaries, and just keep to rotate the strike. This is what I have done, and it was giving me positive energy.
- Gurbaz 5/5: [On what Rahmat Shah is like as a captain and whether he is as calm on the field as he appears] You can see from the camera screen, the way you can see outside, he's exactly the same in the ground. He's very calm, cool. He tries to communicate things. He tries to ask every single person in the squad. He's not someone that, oh, I am okay, no, I don't need anyone. He will try to come and take advantage from everyone's experience. So he's some of that guy. I mean, he's very calm, as you can see (with) his batting. As calm as he is in the batting, he's calm as a captain as well. So he's a legend, no doubt. He's such a calm guy and good cricketer as well.
- Gurbaz (4/5): [On Rashid Khan's bowling and his importance to Afghanistan] To be really honest, I played with Afghanistan from 2019, if I'm not wrong. From 2019 I started playing with him. I think he's one of the best. You can just say simply that he's one of the best in every format. Whenever he comes, whenever you need something from him, he will just get it for you. So, sometimes when we need to break the partnership, I just tell him, like, bro, we need a partnership, please. [On being surprised by one of Rashid Khan's deliveries] I was not actually ready. He bowled from very behind the wicket. So yeah, he's doing too many things. I tell him, I know your googly, I know your legspin, but I was not ready for this ball. I was telling him that I was not ready. [On his understanding with Rashid Khan as a wicketkeeper] Yeah, I can understand him really well because I'm keeping him for the last six, seven years. I think I know, I understand him really well. I know exactly what he's doing. So that's why it's a little bit easy for me as a wicket-keeper. Otherwise, keeping is not easy for him because you don't know where the ball is going, especially he's a little bit faster than normal spinner. But yeah, I just understand from the hand and finger where the ball is coming. I see, okay, I just try to... [On the difficulty of facing Rashid Khan as a batter] Yeah, yeah. You know, honestly, he's one of the best in the world, you can say. It's just easy to say to pick him, but when you play against him, it's very difficult. When I play against him in the league, I always try to take a single. It's another variation to him. So yeah, he's a very difficult bowler.
- Gurbaz (3/5): [On the opposition's plans to restrict their running between the wickets] I think such a good point you (Maharoof) mentioned. Actually, nowadays whenever we batting together, all the mid-on or the mid-off fielder will be very close to the wicket. So we have the advantage to hit boundaries easy now, because they try to stop the singles. So I think most of the teams make plans against us. So we understand that also, we need to realize that, okay, the fielders in now, we need to take advantage to hit out of the fielder. So yeah, good point actually. I will try to mention that. [On the exchange with Blessing Muzarabani during the match] Because I never seen him be angry on me. I just always call him my brother from another mother. So the good thing was that he was angry on me. I was, okay, no problem. So I need to be a little bit more aggressive and focused, because when the bowler tries to be aggressive on me, and then I try to be more focused. So I was happy for that. And then I just tell him that you're my teammate also in ILT20. Don't be too much aggressive on me. [On whether the exchange was his way of showing affection towards Muzarabani] Yeah, I think so. But he was not showing any love at all. He was just angry till the end. But he was good in the shake hands, so he was smiling.
- Gurbaz (2/5): [On preparing for the upcoming World Cup] Yeah, just try to understand a little bit more my game and my quality. I believe in my shots, I believe in my skills as well, but at the same time, I just need to be a little bit more sensible, I think, which I can see from everyone. I can learn from everyone as well. But yeah, I think sometimes when it's T20 cricket too much, and then I'm going at the same gear. So yeah, I need to work on it. I will try my best to come to my own zone, ODI zone. [On his partnership with Ibrahim Zadran and how they complement each other] The good thing is between our partnership is just understand each other really well. The way he sometimes (says) it's not your day, you need to understand that another side is also able to score, and Ibrahim was the guy who was telling me today that, okay, if it's not your day, just try to give me a strike, because he was completely middle the ball. He was seeing the ball and he was in a good zone. I try to give him a strike a little bit early on, and then suddenly some shots, I mean, strokes also come. I hit some few boundaries and I just get my rhythm. But yeah, Ibrahim is one of the guys that always take the game deeper. I always try to just take advantage from the first 10 overs, and then whenever I get out of that, and then I try to go longer.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (1/5): [On winning Afghanistan's first-ever ODI tri-series title] Yeah, I think it was a very good for us because we were home. Yeah, I think overall it was a very good tournament and everything was very nice, and we were expecting that from the ACB to be more quality. And we keep continuing the good things. [On the contribution of the entire squad, including the reserves] See, that's the beauty of cricket. Even if you're not playing and still you do your 100% in the field and in 12th men, they give waters to the boys because it was hot. It's not easy to play ODIs in this weather. The way the guys help us inside the ground, that was unbelievable. Good job everyone. [On his approach to ODI batting compared to T20 cricket] See, I think the cricket is totally changed now, to be really honest. 440 is not safe, 450 is not safe. So you need to be very aggressive. At the same time, you need to understand the situation as well. I mean, whenever Ibrahim is with me, I feel like he's in another side, he's keeping his side safe. So I try to be a little bit aggressive, which is my nature. At the same time, I just try to do something what the team expect from me and what I can do for the team. But at the same time, again, I need to be a little bit more calm. I understand that. I realize things. I need to work on it. And also because the World Cup is coming on.
- 21:49 Local Time, 17:49 GMT, 23:19 IST: Afghanistan the best side in this tri-series and they have won this final at their own pace. Plenty of Afghan support in the stands and they are all delighted. Evans and Ibrahim Zadran have a chat as they walk back. The former checking the bat of the latter. Zimbabwe like Bangladesh in the last game didn't get enough on the board to pose a threat in this game. The openers began well with Gurbaz showing aggressive intent. Once Zimbabwe didn't get early wickets, that was game done then. Even though they got two wickets in quick time, Rahmat Shah and Zadran shut the door to take their side home. Afghanistan were easily the best side in this tri-series and in these conditions both Bangladesh and Zimbabwe were no match to them. Stay tuned for the post-match stuff...
- Over 35 · 6 runs (0 2 4)
- 34.34Madhevere to Hashmatullah Shahidi, FOUR, Afghanistan win the tri-series. On a good length outside off, Hashmatullah Shahidi goes on the back foot and cuts hard, beats point's dive to his left. Has the legs to go and touch the cushions. Shahidi and Raza share a big smile on their faces as the post-match formalities follow
- 34.22Madhevere to Hashmatullah Shahidi, 2 runs, tossed up full just outside off, Hashmatullah Shahidi gets forward to drive and the thick outside-edge runs wide of backward point for two
- 34.1•Madhevere to Hashmatullah Shahidi, no run, slower and on a good length outside off, Hashmatullah Shahidi goes on the back foot and punches to backward point
- End of over 34 · 2 runs (0 0 0 1 1 0)AFG 164/3Ibrahim Zadran 70(96) · Hashmatullah Shahidi 1(2) · Ryan Burl 6-0-19-0
- 33.6•Ryan Burl to Ibrahim Zadran, no run, flat good length from the front of the hand outside off, Ibrahim Zadran gets forward to drive and finds cover-point in the ring
- 33.51Ryan Burl to Hashmatullah Shahidi, 1 run, a slip in as Ryan Burl bowls on a good length on leg-stump, Hashmatullah Shahidi goes on the back foot and nudges it to the vacant deep square-leg area
- 33.41Ryan Burl to Ibrahim Zadran, 1 run, again front of the hand and full on off, Ibrahim Zadran gets forward to drive to long-on
- 33.3•Ryan Burl to Ibrahim Zadran, no run, leg-break and on a good length on off, Ibrahim Zadran goes on the back foot to work it to the right of Ryan Burl who gets across and cuts it off
- 33.2•Ryan Burl to Ibrahim Zadran, no run, the leg-break and doesn't turn on off, Ibrahim Zadran goes on the back foot and punches it back
- 33.1•Ryan Burl to Ibrahim Zadran, no run, good length and from the front of the hand on middle, Ibrahim Zadran whips to mid-wicket
- End of over 33 · 2 runs (0 1 1 0 W 0) · 1 wktAFG 162/3Hashmatullah Shahidi 0(1) · Ibrahim Zadran 69(91) · Wessly Madhevere 1-0-2-1
- 32.6•Madhevere to Hashmatullah Shahidi, no run, Burl again and he saves four. It's short and wide outside off, from round the wicket, Hashmatullah Shahidi goes on the back foot and cuts so hard, Burl dives to his right at extra-cover to cut it off
- Hashmatullah Shahidi, left handed bat, comes to the crease
- 32.5WMadhevere to Rahmat Shah, out Caught by Ryan Burl!! Something to cheer for Zimbabwe. A flying Burl at mid-wicket has plucked off a one-handed stunner to his left. It's short on off, Rahmat Shah goes on the back foot and pulls, doesn't get the elevation but still it was travelling. Burl leaps and is airborne when he takes it. Lands with the ball safely lodged in his hand and is all smiles. Raza goes to him to celebrate. The timing of the leap was key and Burl got it spot-on. More Glenn Phillips like and the slow-motion replays only make the catch look even better. Rahmat Shah c Ryan Burl b Madhevere 43(63) [4s-1 6s-1]
- Madhevere to Rahmat Shah, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
- 32.4•Madhevere to Rahmat Shah, no run, slower and well tossed up outside off, turns back into off, Rahmat Shah goes on the back foot to defend to mid-wicket. Raza and Rahmat Shah have a friendly chat. Maybe Raza was asking Rahmat why he was defending
- 32.31Madhevere to Ibrahim Zadran, 1 run, tossed up full on off, Ibrahim Zadran gets forward to drive to long-on
- 32.21Madhevere to Rahmat Shah, 1 run, short and the off-break turns in from outside off, Rahmat Shah goes on the back foot and backs away to cut to long-off. Didn't time it
- 32.1•Madhevere to Rahmat Shah, no run, flat good length and the off-break turns into off, Rahmat Shah goes on the back foot to defend it back
- Wessly Madhevere, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
- End of over 32 · 2 runs (1 1 0 0 0 0)AFG 160/2Ibrahim Zadran 68(90) · Rahmat Shah 42(59) · Ryan Burl 5-0-17-0
- 31.6•Ryan Burl to Ibrahim Zadran, no run, tossed up full on off, Ibrahim Zadran aims for a big slogsweep and totally mistimes it. Off the bottom of the bat to short mid-wicket
- 31.5•Ryan Burl to Ibrahim Zadran, no run, looked like the front of the hand delivery and seam-up. Full on off, driven back to Ryan Burl
- 31.4•Ryan Burl to Ibrahim Zadran, no run, flat good length outside off, Ibrahim Zadran goes on the back foot and pulls, finds short mid-wicket who's straight
- 31.3•Ryan Burl to Ibrahim Zadran, no run, tossed up full on off, Ibrahim Zadran with a forward defence to the right of Ryan Burl
- 31.21Ryan Burl to Rahmat Shah, 1 run, tossed up full outside off, Rahmat Shah gets forward to drive to sweeper cover
- 31.11Ryan Burl to Ibrahim Zadran, 1 run, flat good length just outside off, Ibrahim Zadran goes on the back foot and punches to the right of Ryan Burl who can't cut it off. Should've stopped that
- Ryan Burl [4.0-0-15-0] is back into the attack
- A towel, a drink and some water for Rahmat Shah. A break in play. It's humid even now and the players help themselves.
- End of over 31 · 3 runs (1 0 0 1 1 0)AFG 158/2Rahmat Shah 41(58) · Ibrahim Zadran 67(85) · Sikandar Raza 3-0-17-0
- 30.6•Sikandar Raza to Rahmat Shah, no run, tossed up full on middle, Rahmat Shah gets forward to flick and mid-wicket is found
- 30.51Sikandar Raza to Ibrahim Zadran, 1 run, good length and on off, Ibrahim Zadran goes on the back foot and short-arm jabs it to long-on, splitting the three men on the leg-side
- 30.41Sikandar Raza to Rahmat Shah, 1 run, the off-break turns into leg-stump, Rahmat Shah goes on the back foot and punches to long-off
- 30.3•Sikandar Raza to Rahmat Shah, no run, good work by Evans two overs in a row. He runs from extra-cover and dives to his right to prevent one. Has a big smile on his face. Was a length delivery on middle, Rahmat Shah goes on the back foot and punches
- 30.2•Sikandar Raza to Rahmat Shah, no run, tossed up this off-break on good length and slides down leg, Rahmat Shah flicks and misses. Wellington at mid-wicket is having some fun as he appeals for an LBW
- 30.11Sikandar Raza to Ibrahim Zadran, 1 run, this off-break is dragged down on off and middle, Ibrahim Zadran goes on the back foot and pulls wide of mid-wicket for one
- 6 inside the ring now for Raza. 3 each on the leg-side and off-side.
- End of over 30 · 11 runs (0 1 1 1 2 6)AFG 155/2Rahmat Shah 40(54) · Ibrahim Zadran 65(83) · Wellington Masakadza 6-0-29-0
- 29.66Wellington Masakadza to Rahmat Shah, SIX, that's smashed into the deep mid-wicket stands. Dragged down and Rahmat Shah is quick to go back and pull it high and mightily over deep mid-wicket
- 29.52Wellington Masakadza to Rahmat Shah, 2 runs, that's good bowling. Wellington Masakadza unlucky. He deceived Rahmat Shah as he came down, he is not to the pitch of the ball, yet lofts and the thick outside-edge clears backward point
- 29.41Wellington Masakadza to Ibrahim Zadran, 1 run, drifts in full on middle, Ibrahim Zadran gets forward to flick wide of mid-wicket. More off the thick inner half
- 29.31Wellington Masakadza to Rahmat Shah, 1 run, tossed up very full outside off as Rahmat Shah comes down the track to drive, gets it wide of Madhevere's dive at backward point to his right
- 29.21Wellington Masakadza to Ibrahim Zadran, 1 run, wide of the crease and tossed up full on middle, Ibrahim Zadran gets forward to drive to long-on
- 29.1•Wellington Masakadza to Ibrahim Zadran, no run, tossed up full outside off, hint of turn away, Ibrahim Zadran gets forward and opens the face of the bat to drive softly to backward point
- End of over 29 · 3 runs (0 0 1 0 1 1)AFG 144/2Ibrahim Zadran 63(80) · Rahmat Shah 31(51) · Sikandar Raza 2-0-14-0
- 28.61Sikandar Raza to Ibrahim Zadran, 1 run, full on middle, Ibrahim Zadran gets forward to drive to long-on
- 28.51Sikandar Raza to Rahmat Shah, 1 run, full on off, Rahmat Shah gets forward to drive to long-off
- 28.4•Sikandar Raza to Rahmat Shah, no run, good stop by extra-cover as he dives to his right and cuts off the single. On a good length just outside off, Rahmat Shah goes on the back foot and punches
- 28.31Sikandar Raza to Ibrahim Zadran, 1 run, flat good length outside off, Ibrahim Zadran goes on the back foot and punches to long-on
- 28.2•Sikandar Raza to Ibrahim Zadran, no run, off-break on a good length outside off, Ibrahim Zadran gets forward to drive to the straightish short extra-cover
- 28.1•Sikandar Raza to Ibrahim Zadran, no run, was the googly, hint of turn back in from a good length, Ibrahim Zadran goes on the back foot and punches it back to Sikandar Raza
- End of over 28 · 5 runs (1 0 1 0 2 1)AFG 141/2Ibrahim Zadran 61(76) · Rahmat Shah 30(49) · Wellington Masakadza 5-0-18-0
- 27.61Wellington Masakadza to Ibrahim Zadran, 1 run, lots of flight on leg-stump, full, Ibrahim Zadran gets forward to drive to long-on
- 27.52Wellington Masakadza to Ibrahim Zadran, 2 runs, good length and on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran goes on the back foot and whips it wide of deep square-leg for a couple
- 27.4•Wellington Masakadza to Ibrahim Zadran, no run, tossed up full around off, Ibrahim Zadran gets forward to defend to extra-cover
- 27.31Wellington Masakadza to Rahmat Shah, 1 run, tossed up full on leg-stump, Rahmat Shah comes down the track to drive to long-on
- 27.2•Wellington Masakadza to Rahmat Shah, no run, good length and a bit quicker on off and middle, Rahmat Shah goes on the back foot to defend it back
- 27.11Wellington Masakadza to Ibrahim Zadran, 1 run, flat good length just outside off, Ibrahim Zadran goes on the back foot and forces it down to long-on
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