Asghar Afghan Brakes MS Dhoni Record Afghanistan Sweep Zimbabwe T20I Series

Najibullah Zadran scored a career-best 72 as Afghanistan made a 3–0 clean sweep over Zimbabwe with a 47-run victory in the third and final Twenty20 International (T20) in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. The left-handed batsman hit five sixes and several fours in his innings of 35 balls, which laid the foundation for another impressive over of 183 for seven in 20 overs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. The win makes Asghar Afghan the most successful captain in all T20 T20Is with 42 wins from 52 matches, winning India’s MS Dhoni 41 out of 72 matches.

Zimbabwe struggled in reply as they slipped to 56 for five in the 11th over.

Sikandar Raza, 41 not out, and Ryan Burl, 39 not out, played jointly for an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 80, but never came into the match threatening the Afghani total as they went 136-5 in 20 overs. But ended.

Raza hit two fours and a six in his innings of 29 balls while Burl hit three sixes and a four in his 31-ball innings.

Opener Teraisai Musakanda hit three fours and a six in 28 balls.

All-rounder Karim Janat was the Afghanistan bowler with 2–34.

Earlier, Zadran and Asghar added 59 runs for the fifth wicket and surpassed Afghanistan’s total, batting after winning the third toss in succession.

Jadran improved to his previous best by scoring an unbeaten 69 against the same opposition in Dhaka in 2019.

Asghar hit two sixes and a four in a strong 12-ball innings of 24 runs.

Opener Usman Ghani hit four fours and a six in his 39 off 31 balls while Jannat scored 21 runs off 14 balls with a six and two fours.

Promoted

Paes bowler Richard Ngarwa took two wickets for Zimbabwe.

Afghanistan won the first match by 48 runs and the second by 45 runs, that too at the same place.