Read the articles of Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI 2014 - Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe 4-match one-day international series of the 2nd ODI match played between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe at Bulawayo in 20th July 2014.
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| Sikandar Raza and Hamilton Masakadza thwarted the Afghanistan bowlers © AFP |
Openers Hamilton Masakadza's superb 93 and Sikandar Raza's maiden ODI century power to Zimbabwe crushing eight-wicket victory over Afghanistan despite Usman Ghani's maiden ODI hundred and take a unassailable 2-0 lead in the second ODI.
Zimbabwe chased 257 for 2 (Sikandar Raza 141, Hamilton Masakadza 93) Afghanistan scored 256 for 7 (Usman Ghani 118, Sikandar Raza 2-25)
Zimbabwe chased 257 for 2 (Sikandar Raza 141, Hamilton Masakadza 93) Afghanistan scored 256 for 7 (Usman Ghani 118, Sikandar Raza 2-25)
This match reported by (Third Party Reference from The Daily Telegraph)
Sikandar Raza's maiden ODI century and Hamilton Masakadza's superb 93 helped Zimbabwe crushing Afghanistan by eight wickets and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the second ODI of the four-match series. Raza's sparkling 133-ball 141 that was laced with seven sixes and 11 fours also completely overshadowed a landmark reached by Afghanistan's 17-year-old opener Usman Ghani, who also hit his maiden ODI century.
In the second match of a row, Zimbabwe decided to field but were set up a slightly difficult target of 257 compared to the first ODI. With no Vusi Sibanda, Sikandar Raza opened the batting with Hamilton Masakadza and set the foundation of the innings with a boundary of the first ball of the second over. He smashed it in the third over with consecutive fours of Shapoor Zadran's first two balls before ramping the scoring rate from the ninth over onwards. Zimbabwe had moved to 42 from the first eight but Sikandar Raza struck Dawlat Zadran for two sixes and a four in an over that leaked 21 runs. He slowed down a touch thereafter, reaching his fifty off 54 balls.
Sikandar Raza hit the next fifty off 45 balls to reach his maiden ODI ton in the 31st over. Masakadza, meanwhile, had also superbly added 83 runs off 93 balls to help the team drive to 192 without loss. Two boundaries in the next over from Sikandar Raza took Zimbabwe past 200 - the first double-century opening-stand for Zimbabwe. By the time Masakadza was dismissed, seven-run short of his century, the partnership had swelled to 224 - the highest any wicket stand for Zimbabwe. The home side continued to saunter and overhauled the target with more than six overs to spare, the only blip being the loss of Raza a ball before the win was achieved.
Earlier, Usman Ghani had single-handedly tone up Afghanistan's innings with a mature innings. He received repeated support from the other batsmen but none lasted long enough with him to threaten Zimbabwe. Take out Ghani's 118 off 143 deliveries - the joint equal for the highest score by an Afghanistan batsman - and the highest individual score was Gulbadin Naib's 23. Raza was successful with the ball too, captured two crucial wickets in his five-over spell.
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