BSP-20 Gurbaz’s maiden 50 powers Afghans to 155-8

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BSP-20

CRICKET-ZIM-AFG-1ST-INNING-REPORT

Gurbaz’s maiden 50 powers Afghans to 155-8

CHATTOGRAM, Sept 20, 2019 (BSS)- Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz struck his
maiden half-century as Afghanistan racked up 155-8 against Zimbabwe in their
third match of the Tri-nation T20 series on Friday at the Zahur Ahmed
Chowdhury Stadium.

In a match that was just an academic interest following Zimbabwe’s
elimination from the final race, Gurbaz smashed a 47 ball-61, clobbering four
fours and as many sixes to give Afghanistan the solid platform.

But Zimbabwe came back strongly in the match half-way through innings with
a flurry of wickets when it appeared that Afghans would end up scoring closer
to 200.

Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai combined for an 83-run partnership in just
9.3 overs to indicate a big score.

Zazai scored 31 off 24 before Tinotenda Mutumbodzi had him caught by
Richmond Mutumbami to give the side a much-needed breakthrough.

Mutumbodzi then bowled in disciplined way to stifle the Afghans power-
packed batting line up.

But Gurbaz continued his onslaught. It needed an excellent bowling from
Sean Williams to rattle his stump and subsequently curbed the aggression of
the Afghans batsman.

Christopher Mpofu then sliced out the Afghans middle order in a show of
excellent bowling and finally ended with his career best 4-30.

Afghanistan batsmen, however, didn’t help their cause by playing a forced
shot when the pitch was getting slower considerably.

Shafiqullah Shafiq was the other notable scorer with 16 while debutant
Fazal Niazai scored 12.

Apart from Mpofu’s four-for, Mutumbodzi ended with 2-18, also his career
best bowling.

The match is the last International match of Zimbabwe captain Hamilton
Masakadza. Zimbabwe is eying to give him fitting farewell alongside trying to
end the eight-match losing streak against Afghanistan.

BSS/SMP/SSS/2048 hrs