HARARE: Opening batsman Sediqullah Atal’s anchoring century coupled with a combined bowling effort led Afghanistan to a massive 232-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second ODI of the three-match series here at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday- fair.
The resounding victory was Afghanistan’s biggest in terms of runs, surpassing the previous record of 177 runs achieved against South Africa earlier this year.
Afghanistan’s 232-run victory, however, was the 22nd biggest overall in the format, with India’s 317-run victory over Sri Lanka last year remaining the biggest ODI victory of all time.
On the other hand, it was Zimbabwe’s third biggest defeat in ODIs, after their 272 and 242 run defeats against South Africa and Pakistan respectively.
Coming back to the match, Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine won the toss and put Afghanistan into bat.
The visitors performed sublimely with the bat as they amassed 286/6 in the allotted 50 overs, thanks to a magnificent opening partnership.
The opening pair yielded 191 runs before culminating in Abdul Malik’s dismissal in the 35th minute.
The right-handed batsman scored 84 off 101 deliveries with the help of a dozen boundaries, which included a six.
Their star with the bat, Sediqullah, however, carried his bat until the 43rd over and top-scored for the touring team with his maiden ODI century.
Sediqullah hit eight fours and four sixes on his way to a 128-ball 104.
Apart from the first few games, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi contributed significantly with his unbeaten 29 off 30 deliveries.
Newman Nyamhuri led the bowling attack for Zimbabwe with three wickets, while Trevor Gwandu took two.
Chasing a daunting target of 287 runs, Zimbabwe’s batting unit was surprised by a relentless Afghanistan bowling attack.
As a result, the home team managed to score just 54 runs before being bowled out in the 18th over.
Experienced all-rounders Sean Williams (16) and Sikandar Raza (19) were the only batsmen to accumulate double figures.
Notably, Zimbabwe’s 54 all out was the fourth lowest total in the format, with the lowest figure being 35 all out, against Sri Lanka in 2004.