Wed Dec 11 18:19:44 UTC 2024: ## Zimbabwe Edges Out Afghanistan in Thrilling Finish
**Harare, Zimbabwe:** Zimbabwe secured a nail-biting one-wicket victory over Afghanistan in a thrilling Twenty20 International match today. Chasing a challenging 145-run target, Zimbabwe reached the finish line with just one ball to spare, finishing on 145/9.
Afghanistan, batting first, posted a respectable 144/6 thanks to impressive innings from Karim Janat (54 runs off 49 balls) and Mohammad Nabi (44 runs off 27 balls). However, Zimbabwe’s Richard Ngarava (4 wickets for 28 runs) and Wellington Masakadza (3 wickets for 18 runs) kept Afghanistan in check.
Zimbabwe’s chase was a rollercoaster. Brian Bennett top-scored with 49 runs, while Dion Myers contributed 32. However, the innings was punctuated by regular wickets, with Naveen-ul-Haq (4 wickets for 33 runs) and Rashid Khan (4 wickets for 26 runs) proving to be formidable opponents for the Zimbabwean batsmen.
The tension mounted in the final overs, with Zimbabwe needing seven runs from five balls at one stage. A crucial boundary from Wellington Masakadza and some powerful hitting kept Zimbabwe’s hopes alive. Ultimately, it was a dramatic final ball victory. The win marks a significant upset for Zimbabwe against a stronger Afghanistan side.
First Piper 