Zadran brings Afghanistan T20 victory after thrilling run chase / Photo: Jekesai NJIKIZANA - AFP
-
US and China hail 'progress' after trade talks end in Geneva
-
Jeeno keeps cool to win LPGA's Americas Open
-
Hamas to release hostage as part of direct Gaza talks with US
-
Marvel's 'Thunderbolts*' retains top spot in N.America box office
-
Parade, protests kick off Eurovision Song Contest week
-
Forest owner Marinakis says Nuno row due to medical staff's error
-
Hamas officials say group held direct Gaza ceasefire talks with US
-
Zelensky offers to meet Putin in Turkey 'personally'
-
Inter beat Torino and downpour to move level with Napoli
-
'Not nice' to hear Alexander-Arnold booed by Liverpool fans: Robertson
-
'We'll defend better next season': Barca's Flick after wild Clasico win
-
Trump urges Ukraine to accept talks with Russia
-
Amorim warns Man Utd losing 'massive club' feeling after Hammers blow
-
Complaint filed over 'throat-slitting gesture' at Eurovision protests: Israeli broadcaster
-
Newcastle win top-five showdown with Chelsea, Arsenal rescue Liverpool draw
-
Departing Alonso says announcement on next move 'not far' away
-
Arsenal hit back to rescue valuable draw at Liverpool
-
Pakistan's Kashmiris return to homes, but keep bunkers stocked
-
Postecoglou hopeful over Kulusevski injury ahead of Spurs' Europa final
-
Washington hails 'substantive progress' after trade talks with China
-
Barca edge Real Madrid in thriller to move to brink of Liga title
-
Albanians vote in election seen as key test of EU path
-
Forest owner Marinakis confronts Nuno after draw deals Champions League blow
-
Dortmund thump Leverkusen to spoil Alonso's home farewell
-
Pedersen sprints back into Giro pink after mountain goat incident
-
Zverev cruises into Rome last 16, Sabalenka battles past Kenin
-
Newcastle win top-five showdown with Chelsea, Forest held to damaging draw
-
Iran says nuclear talks 'difficult but useful', US 'encouraged'
-
Zarco first home winner of French MotoGP since 1954
-
Taliban govt suspends chess in Afghanistan over gambling
-
Eduan, Simbine shine at world relays
-
Washington 'optimistic' amid trade talks with China
-
Tonali sinks 10-man Chelsea as Newcastle win top five showdown
-
Ukraine says will meet Russia for talks if it agrees to ceasefire
-
India's worst-hit border town sees people return after ceasefire
-
Pope Leo XIV warns of spectre of global war in first Sunday address
-
Ukraine says will meet Russia for talks if Moscow agrees to ceasefire
-
Sabalenka battles past Kenin and into Rome last 16
-
Erdogan says efforts to end Ukraine war at 'turning point'
-
Pope Leo XIV calls for peace at St Peter's prayer
-
Ukraine will meet Russia for talks if Moscow agrees to ceasefire
-
India, Pakistan ceasefire holds after early violations
-
Herbert seals Asian Tour win with final-hole heroics
-
Catholics gather to catch glimpse of Pope Leo XIV at St Peter's prayer
-
US-China talks resume as Trump hails 'total reset' in trade relations
-
Ukraine ready for Russia truce talks, Zelensky says
-
Jubilant Peruvians celebrate new pope at mass in adoptive city
-
Scottish refinery closure spells trouble for green transition
-
Convicted ex-Panama president Martinelli granted asylum in Colombia
-
IPL chiefs in talks about restart following ceasefire: reports
NYSE - LSE
Zadran brings Afghanistan T20 victory after thrilling run chase
Najibullah Zadran slammed a six off the second ball of the final over to give Afghanistan a six-wicket win against Zimbabwe on Saturday after a thrilling run chase in the first of three Twenty20 internationals.
The dramatic climax seemed unlikely with 10 overs gone as the tourists scored 83 without loss after Zimbabwe posted 159-8 in 20 overs at Harare Sports Club.
Ryan Burl then wreaked havoc with the ball, capturing the wickets of openers Hazratullah Zazai (45) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (33) and Usman Ghani (1) within six balls.
A leading edge from Gurbaz led to a catch for wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva. Zazai followed one ball caught by Sikandar Raza at long on.
Burl claimed his third wicket off the final ball of the over as another Chakabva catch ended the Ghani's two-ball innings.
Batting at number five, Zadran stopped the rot but took time to regain the initiative and the tourists needed 60 runs from the final five overs to triumph.
The run rate gradually increased and when Blessing Muzurabani stepped up to bowl the final over, the Afghans required eight runs, and Zadran wasted no time getting them.
He hit two off the first delivery, then walloped his third six of a 25-ball stand to lift the Afghans to 160-4 and continue a successful tour after a 3-0 victory in a one-day international series.
Zadran, a 30-year-old left-hand batsman, struck two fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 41-minute stay at the crease.
Earlier, middle-order batsman Raza top scored with 45 for Zimbabwe on a hard, brown-grass, batting-friendly track.
Opener Wessley Madhevere (32) and Regis Chakabva (29) were the other Zimbabweans to make significant contributions while six of their teammates failed to reach 10.
Debutant Najit Masood, a right-arm medium pacer, was the most impressive Afghan bowler taking three wickets, including those of Raza and Chakabva.
Pakistan-born Raza, whose T20 batting average is a modest 13.4, was out to a brilliant catch at third man by Hazratullah Zazai having faced 31 deliveries and struck three fours and two sixes.
A googly from Rashid Khan spelt the end of Madhevere while a leading edge from Chakabva was caught at mid-off by captain Mohammad Nabi.
The remaining two T20 internationals will also be in Harare, on Sunday and Tuesday.
A.Malone--AMWN