AFG vs ZIM 2nd T20I Results

6:41 PM IST That's a wrap! Afghanistan will be aiming to complete a clean sweep after taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, while Zimbabwe will look to salvage some pride in the final T20I. The action stays in Sharjah for the third T20I between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe on Sunday, November 1, with the match set to begin at 2.30 pm GMT. Do join us well before the start for all the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

6:36 PM IST The skipper of Afghanistan -  Ibrahim Zadran admits that the team were under pressure with the bat and did not expect to reach 221. He credits Azmatullah Omarzai, Ijaz Ahmadzai, and Rashid Khan for their strong finish. Looking at the bigger picture, he says the top order has been providing good starts, which is a positive sign, while the lower order has shown the quality to step up and change the game from any situation. He acknowledges that there is room for improvement in the batting department and says the team will work on it going forward. He also reveals that two players were rested today and adds that they will continue to give opportunities to new players to express themselves.

6:34 PM IST The captain of Zimbabwe -  Sikandar Raza says the plan while chasing 222 was to win the game from any position. He adds that the team backed itself to pull off the chase until the final two overs, but left themselves with too much to do. Regardless of where Zimbabwe go from here, their fans have always stood by them, and the team wants to keep fighting for its loyal supporters. Raza admits the most disappointing aspect was the players' complacency, which hurt him. He stresses that a game is never over until it’s over, and that is a lesson the team needs to address going forward.

6:32 PM IST Azmatullah Omarzai wins the Player of the Match award for his 116 and one wicket -  He thanks the Almighty for his maiden T20I century. He says the team was under pressure, but they built a crucial partnership with Ijaz Ahmadzai that helped them immensely. Shares that he enjoyed batting alongside Ijaz, adding that the plan was to stay calm, play their natural game, maintain the momentum, and find regular boundaries. Omarzai also highlighted the importance of dismissing Kaia, who was batting well, as his wicket helped put the brakes on the scoring rate.

6:17 PM IST Presentation time...

6:16 PM IST Zimbabwe’s bowlers lose control amidst the rampage -  For Zimbabwe, Brad Evans, Ernest Masuku, Kundai Matigimu and Vincent Masekesa impressed with the ball during the first half of the innings, putting Afghanistan under immense pressure. However, the visitors struggled to contain the onslaught in the latter stages, allowing the hosts to stage a stunning recovery. Afghanistan’s batters unleashed a brutal assault, smashing 19 sixes and turning the tide dramatically to post a daunting total of 221/7. In the end, the runs leaked in the death overs came to haunt them, and the Chevrons lost the game and the series.