Hamilton Masakadza bids farewell with match-winning 71
The Zimbabwe captain's 42-ball knock powered his side to their first-ever T20I victory over Afghanistan
The Zimbabwe captain's 42-ball knock powered his side to their first-ever T20I victory over Afghanistan
Scorer: @Thilak_Rama | Commentator: Hemant Brar (@Cricquest)
So Zimbabwe have stalled Afghanistan's winning run at 12 T20Is in Hamilton Masakadza's farewell game. That's all from our side for this game. See you soon.
Hamilton Masakadza: Fantastic feeling to finish off like this. It's something we spoke about in the changing room. It was a monkey to get off our back [to beat Afghanistan in T20Is]. The boys have showed a lot of fight throughout the tournament. Had we won the first game, it would have been a different tournament. Lots of ups and downs in the career. A few highlights are obviously being the most-capped player and being handed my maiden cap by Grant Flower. First overseas win in Sri Lanka and then the Test match we won here. Those are some of the highlights. I have to something back to the game, to the youngsters as well. I am around in the domestic circuit. Thanks to the players, coaches and support staff. Lots of feelings going through but the biggest one is of being thankful.
Mpofu: It was a good day, I enjoyed myself there. I tried to use my bounce and changing the pace and I think the wicket supported me.
Christopher Mpofu is the Man of the Match for his four-wicket haul.
Rashid Khan: We tried our best. The problem was we had a good start but couldn't finish as we did in the last two games. We will take the positives from here and try to no repeat the mistakes. The main idea behind testing bench strength was to prepare the team for the World Cup. You have different players for different formats and they have their mindset set for the format. So that's good for the captain, having different teams for different formats.
Special mementos for Hamilton Masakadza from both boards.
Time for the presentation ceremony.
9.40pm What a comeback from Zimbabwe after conceding 84 in the first ten overs to give their captain a fitting farewell. In fact, he himself played a big hand in it, scoring 71 off just 42 to set up the chase. Chakabva, who was happy to play second fiddle when his captain was around, hit a couple of sixes to bring the equation down to 17 runs needed off 18 balls. Mujeeb dismissed him and could have had Williams on the very next ball but dropped a simple return catch. There were no surprises after that as Zimbabwe registered their first win in nine T20I outings against Afghanistan.
Just two needed now. Dawlat Zadran to bowl the last over
PGhosh: "No win against Afghanistan in T20I for Zimbabwe in 8 matches. And then first win at the last international for Masakadza. What a farewell gift to him and he earned the gift from leading the front. "
The Zimbabwe captain's 42-ball knock powered his side to their first-ever T20I victory over Afghanistan
A maiden T20I win over Afghanistan could boost morale for struggling side, while Afghanistan could look to test bench strength in dead rubber