Afghanistan registered their biggest ODI Victory

Kabul, December 19, 2024: The Afghanistan National Cricket Team has put on a remarkable all-round performance to beat Zimbabwe by 232 runs in the second ODI and register their biggest victory in terms of runs in the format.

Earlier in the day, Hashmatullah Shahidi was asked to bat first on a bowling-friendly surface, but AfghanAtalan, led by the openers, Sediqullah Atal (104) and Abdul Malik (84) were up to the task as they build on a steady opening partnership and shared 191 runs for the first wicket.

Abdul Malik (84) was the first man to depart, but not before getting into his maiden ODI half-century. Sediqullah Atal, only in his 4th ODI inning, batted superbly and brought up a maiden century in ODI cricket. Their massive contributions, coupled with an unbeaten 29-run cameo from the skipper, pushed Afghanistan to post 286/6 runs on the board in the first inning.

The 191-run partnership between the opening duo was the third highest for the 1st and seventh overall highest partnership for Afghanistan in the format. In the process, the skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, playing his 100th international game for Afghanistan, crossed the milestone of scoring 200 fours in ODIs.

In reply, AfghanAtalan have backed up their magnificent batting effort with an even better bowling display and have bundled out the hosts for 54 runs in 17.3 overs. M Ghazanfar (3/9) and Naveed Zadran (3/13) picked up three wickets each, whereas Fazal Haq Farooqi (2/15) bagged two and Azmatullah Omarzai (1/17) returned with a solitary wicket to his name.

Their dominant bowling effort meant AfghanAtalan went past the hosts by 232 runs and took a 1-0 lead in the series. Afghanistan's 232-run victory over Zimbabwe is their largest margin of victory in terms of runs in ODIs. Their previous biggest win was the 177-run win against South Africa, which came in September this year.

Talented top-order batter Sediqullah Atal was named the Player of the Match for his outstanding century (104 runs) and three brilliant catches in the slip cordon.

The first match of this ODI series was abandoned due to persistent rain in Harare, whereas the third and final ODI match will be held on Saturday, December 21 at the same venue.