Afghanistan thrash Zimbabwe as Shahzad hits historic ton
Afghanistan won the T20I series 2-0, after beating Zimbabwe by 81 runs in the second T20I in Sharjah. Afghanistan's Mohammad Shahzad smashed the fourth highest score in Twenty20 international history when he scored an unbeaten 118 runs from 67 balls. Zimbabwe, who won the toss, chose to field first. While Afghanistan scored 215-6, Zimbabwe was bowled out for 134 with 11 balls to spare.
Afghanistan's national cricket team was formed in 2001 and they went on to play the 2009 World Cup Qualifier, though without making the cut for the 2011 World Cup. In 2010, Afghanistan secured qualification to the 2010 ICC World Twenty20, the team's first major tournament. In 2013, Afghanistan qualified for their first Cricket World Cup (2015). Afghanistan are ranked 9th in International Twenty20 cricket.
Afghanistan cricket team toured UAE to play Zimbabwe from 25 December 2015 to 10 January 2016. The tour consisted of five One Day Internationals (ODIs) and two Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) matches. All the matches took place at Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium.
Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by two wickets to win the fifth one-day international and take the series 3-2 in Sharjah. Gulbadin Naib hit a career best, undefeated 82, in his 68-ball knock as Afghanistan chased down their 249-run target. While 1st and 2nd ODIs were won by Afghanistan, Zimbabwe won the 3rd and 4th ODIs, to compete in the final deciding ODI.
With the series win against Zimbabwe, Afghanistan broke into the top 10 in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI rankings.
Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by five runs in an enthralling first Twenty20 International between the two sides. Zimbabwe's Malcolm Waller and Luke Jongwe tried their best, but could only take their side to 182 for 7 in 20 overs. Zimbabwe fell just short of the target when Luke Jongwe, needing a six to win, was dismissed off the last ball of the match.
Afghanistan have won eight and lost six ODI matches against Zimbabwe. They have won all four of their meetings against Zimbabwe in T20 cricket.
In the second T20I against Zimbabwe, Mohammad Shahzad shattered few records. Shahzad became the first Afghanistan player to score a T20I century. He also became the first Afghan player to go past 1000 runs in T20I. Shahzad became the second batsman from an Associate Nation to score a century in a T20I. His century in just 52 balls is the sixth fastest in T20I.
