Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi steered Afghanistan to a 21-run win over Zimbabwe on Sunday to claim a winning 2-0 lead in their Twenty20 international series in Harare.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The tourists won the toss and made 170-5 off 20 overs on a batting-friendly track while Zimbabwe scored 149-7 in reply.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A third and final T20 match is set for Tuesday with Afghanistan chasing a white-ball tour sweep after winning the one-day international series 3-0.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Zadran put on 70 runs for the fourth wicket with captain Nabi before he was run out off the first ball of the final over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He carried on where he left off on Saturday, when his unbeaten 44 earned Afghanistan a six-wicket victory in a thrilling run chase.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His 57 on Sunday came off 46 balls and included six fours and one six. It was the seventh half century for the 30-year-old left-hander.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Captain and all-rounder Nabi was quicker and more aggressive than Zadran, averaging two runs a ball in an unbeaten 22-ball knock of 43 that included a four and four sixes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Opener Hazratullah Zazai scored 28, laced with three fours and two sixes, before he became the first of three victims of wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Right-arm fast medium pacer Tendai Chatara was the most successful Zimbabwe bowler, capturing the wickets of Zazai and fellow opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (1).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In reply, opener Innocent Kaia excelled, batting from the start of the innings to the second last ball before being run out on 54. His virtual run-a-ball stand included two fours and a six.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He was involved in profitable partnerships with Tadiwanashe Marumani (30) and Sikandar Raza (41) that offered a glimmer of hope that Zimbabwe could win and level the series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But they were always trailing on run rate and when Raza was clean bowled by Rashid Khan with 14 balls remaining and Zimbabwe on 136-4, a collapse ensued.<\/p>\r\n\r\n