Zadran leads Afghanistan to seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe in tri-series final

Afghanistan won the ODI tri-series final in Sharjah on Friday, October 23, beating Zimbabwe by seven wickets after Ibrahim Zadran guided the chase with an unbeaten 70. The Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed the title win, while the ICC scorecard recorded a winning total of 170 for three in 34.3 overs, leaving 93 deliveries unused.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHH0po4p-Ig

Zimbabwe chose to bat but were dismissed for 169 in 43.3 overs. Sikandar Raza provided their main resistance with 68 from 83 balls, including three fours and three sixes, according to Cricbuzz's scorecard. Ryan Burl contributed 31 from 45 deliveries. Raza's innings helped Zimbabwe recover runs after limited contributions from the top order, but they could not build a total that stretched Afghanistan's chase.

Rashid Khan took three wickets, with Mohammad Nabi, Bilal Sami and Fazalhaq Farooqi collecting two each and Azmatullah Omarzai taking the remaining wicket. The board reported that Rashid was making his 250th international appearance, becoming the second Afghanistan player to reach that mark after Nabi. Nabi also reached 300 international wickets during the final, adding a personal milestone to his contribution to the trophy win.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave Afghanistan early momentum with 36 from 31 balls in an opening partnership of 68. Newman Nyamhuri dismissed him and then removed Sediqullah Atal for six, leaving the chasing side at 80 for two. The ICC's match coverage showed that those breakthroughs interrupted Afghanistan's start but did not develop into a wider collapse, as Zadran remained at the crease.

Zadran and Rahmat Shah added 82 for the third wicket, taking Afghanistan to within eight runs of their target before Shah departed for 43. Wessly Madhevere claimed that wicket, but Hashmatullah Shahidi finished unbeaten on seven alongside Zadran. The opener's 96-ball innings contained four fours and a six, and he received the player-of-the-match award for seeing the chase through.

Rashid was named player of the series after taking 11 wickets across Afghanistan's three matches, the board said. The tournament also included Bangladesh. Afghanistan's next assignment is a T20 international series against Zimbabwe, scheduled to begin on October 27, following a three-day break after the final.