Feb. 16 (CRICKETNMORE) - Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 12 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method in the first of five One-Day Internationals at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
Afghanistan had been bowled out for 215 in its final over after the visitors won the toss and opted to bat. Opener Asghar Stanikzai scored half-century for the team. His 57-ball 50 remained the top score of Afghanistan’s innings. Noor Ali Zadran, the other opener, contributed 39 and while Rahmat Shah made 31. Zimbabwe was well served by Tendai Chatara (2 for 17) and Chris Mpofu (2 for 45) even as Graeme Cremer, the captain and legspinner, was the most successful with 3 for 46.
Zimbabwe were 99 for 3 after 27 overs, and was ahead by one run on the D/L method. However, when Burl, the debutant left-hand batsman, was trapped in front by Rashid Khan, the legspinner, off the first ball of the 28th over. Only one more delivery was possible in the entire match and Zimbabwe ended on 99 for 4 after 27.2 overs to hand Afghanistan a 1-0 lead.
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Brief Score
Afghanistan - 215/10 in 49.2 Overs (A Stanikzai - 50, Noor Z - 39, R Khan - 32, R Shah - 31, G Cremer - 3/46, T Chatara - 2/17)
Zimbabwe - 99/4 in 27.4 Overs (C Ervine* - 38, R Burl - 28, A Hamza - 1/17, R Khan - 1/17)
The second match of the series will be played at the same venue on Sunday.
Sahir