Chevrons woes continue

Brandon Moyo, Brandonmalvin9@gmail.com
ZIMBABWE will have to wait a little longer to secure a T20I series win over Afghanistan after losing yet another one at Harare Sports Club on Saturday afternoon.
With the three-match series tied at one-all going into Saturday’s game, there was everything to play for. However, the Chevrons produced yet another dismal performance, losing the match by three wickets and surrendering the series 2-1.
Following the conclusion of the T20I matches, Zimbabwe slumped to their seventh consecutive bilateral series loss in T20Is against Afghanistan. Their solitary win was also their first against the Asian side in the format five years.

The first bilateral series between the two nations was in 2014 and ended 2-2, before Afghanistan registered a 3-2 win in 2015/16. In the 2016/17 season, Afghanistan won a five-match series 3-2, followed by a 4-1 victory in 2016/17. In 2022, the Asian side completed a 3-0 whitewash.
In Saturday’s match, Zimbabwe were asked to bat first and were bowled out for 127 runs in 19.5 overs, before Afghanistan chased down the target in 19.3 overs, finishing on 128/7.
Speaking after the game, Chevrons captain Sikandar Raza said they did not put enough runs on the board to give their bowlers something to defend. He also highlighted the lack of discipline with the ball, which saw them concede 17 extras, costing them dearly.

“I don’t think this is a wicket where you score 127; we needed 150 here. With the big boundaries, a lot of good running is required.
“We played too many big shots to get those runs, and we’re repeating those mistakes. But I’m hopeful we’ll turn it around. I don’t think it’s mental; the dressing room is quite relaxed, and everyone is backing each other.
“We targeted the wrong bowlers at the wrong time. Once the singles dried up, we only tried to hit boundaries. The top seven batters had 21 dismissals, and the majority played the wrong shots at the wrong time. We tried everything, and that’s why the game went to the last over. It’s just not meant to be. It’s quite difficult to defend 127, and those extras certainly killed us today,” said Raza.

Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan was pleased with his team’s fighting spirit after losing the first game and is already looking forward to the One Day International (ODI) series.
“Quite happy with the series win after losing the first game. The way we came back was great, especially our fielding, which is very key on such big grounds. It’s always crucial to finish games, especially low-scoring ones, which are tough.
“The partnership between Azmat and Naib was crucial, but there’s still a lot to learn, especially for big games in major events.

“As a bowler, it gives you energy to get wickets before the ODI series. 80-90 percent of our team is the ODI team, so they know how to approach it; they’ve seen the conditions, and winning always gives you a good vibe in the dressing room,” he said.
Brandon Bennett top-scored for Zimbabwe with 31 runs off 24 balls, while Wessly Madhevere chipped in with 21 runs from 22 deliveries. Khan led from the front for Afghanistan with figures of 4/27 in his four-over spell.
Defending their low total, the Chevrons made a strong start, leaving Afghanistan in trouble at 44/4 in 6,5 overs, taking charge of the game.
Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib, however, shifted the momentum, adding a composed 48 for the fifth wicket. The pair rotated the strike well, avoiding unnecessary risks, but Zimbabwe broke through when Raza trapped Naib lbw for 22 in the 14th over.

Raza struck again in the 18th over, holding a high return catch to remove Omarzai for a crucial 34, leaving Afghanistan at 114 for six and still needing 14 runs from the last two overs.
Mohammad Nabi eased some of the pressure with a boundary off Gwandu, until Rashid pulled the final delivery straight to fine leg, where it was caught by Faraz Akram.
Akram was given the final over, with seven runs needed to win, but Nabi’s experience shone through.

He struck the first ball past fine leg for four, followed by a two to level the scores, before nudging a single to mid-off to clinch the win with three balls to spare.
Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu, and Raza picked up two wickets apiece for the Chevrons, while Ngarava took the other scalp.
Next up is the ODI series, which gets underway tomorrow at Harare Sports Club. — @brandon_malvin