In a nail-biting match, Zimbabwe secured their second-ever victory against Afghanistan in a T20 international. After a tense final over, Tashinga Musekiwa struck a crucial boundary to give Zimbabwe a dramatic win. With Afghanistan facing a do-or-die situation in the second fixture, they have made three changes to their playing XI. Can they bounce back and level the series, or will Zimbabwe continue their winning streak?
Zimbabwe's Triumphant Victory in T20I against Afghanistan
In a thrilling T20 International encounter, Zimbabwe emerged victorious against Afghanistan, securing their second-ever win against their formidable opponents. The nail-biting match culminated in a dramatic final over, with Tashinga Musekiwa delivering a crucial boundary to seal the triumph for Zimbabwe.
Background
The match was part of a two-match T20I series between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. Zimbabwe had previously lost the first match by 6 wickets, putting them under pressure to perform in the second fixture.
The Match
Afghanistan batted first, posting a challenging total of 165/6. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz led the charge with a whirlwind 86 off 53 deliveries. In response, Zimbabwe's batters struggled initially but recovered thanks to half-centuries from skipper Craig Ervine and Wesley Madhevere.
The match reached a climax in a nail-biting final over. With Afghanistan needing 16 runs to win, off-spinner Wellington Masakadza held his nerve and conceded only 14 runs, leaving Zimbabwe with a dramatic one-run victory.
Afghanistan's Response
Facing a do-or-die situation to level the series, Afghanistan has made three changes to their playing XI for the second fixture. Experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi has been recalled, while Noor Ahmad and Karim Janat have been dropped.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the significance of Zimbabwe's victory? Zimbabwe's victory is a significant achievement, as it is only their second-ever win against Afghanistan in T20Is. It will boost their confidence and morale ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
2. Who was the standout performer for Zimbabwe? Off-spinner Wellington Masakadza played a crucial role, conceding only 14 runs in the final over and delivering the decisive wicket to secure Zimbabwe's victory.
3. What are Afghanistan's chances in the second fixture? With three changes to their playing XI, Afghanistan will be determined to level the series. Their experienced players, such as Mohammad Nabi, could play a pivotal role in their success.
4. When and where will the second match take place? The second match of the T20I series between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan will be played on March 7, 2023, at the Harare Sports Club.
5. What is the significance of the T20I series in the context of the T20 World Cup? The T20I series is part of Zimbabwe's preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be held in Australia later this year. The matches provide valuable experience and help the team fine-tune their strategies.
Ahead of Game 3 of the Lakers' first-round playoff series and their first road game of the postseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers coach JJ Redick shared his thoughts on the experience of playing in hostile environments. He described the thrill of silencing and even ruining the day of opposing fans who pay top dollar to watch their team, and the satisfaction that comes with winning on the road in the playoffs. Redick, known for his competitive and relentless nature, emphasized the unique allure of such moments outside of potentially winning a championship.
It was a historic night at Chepauk, as Sunrisers Hyderabad finally defeated Chennai Super Kings at their home ground after six failed attempts. CSK's fortress is now crumbling, with four home losses this season which matches their worst record in 2008 and 2012. SRH's win was fueled by a spectacular catch from Kusal Mendis, which turned the game in their favor and left CSK struggling for any hope of making it to the playoffs. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni's quest to create history in the CSK vs SRH match remained unfulfilled as SRH came out victorious.
Deepak Hooda, who was bought by CSK for INR 1.7 crore at the IPL 2024 mega auction, drew criticism from fans for his sluggish knock of 22 runs off 21 balls in their IPL 2025 match against SRH. This was following his poor performance in the previous three games for the team. Despite his overall record of 1494 runs in the IPL, Hooda's strike rate and consistency have been questioned by fans. Meanwhile, Harshal Patel's 4/28 helped SRH restrict CSK to 154, with debutants Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre contributing 42 and 30 runs, respectively.
In a thrilling IPL match, Sunrisers Hyderabad registered their first victory at the Chepauk by defeating Chennai Super Kings by five wickets. Harshal Patel's four-wicket haul and Ishan Kishan's fighting knock of 44 led the Sunrisers to victory. Captain Pat Cummins was relieved after the win and praised the team's clinical bowling performance. CSK could only manage 154 runs, thanks to brisk knocks from Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre, and SRH easily chased down the target, fixing their poor record against CSK.
Former AEW star returns to WWE after four years, making an impressive and impactful entrance during SmackDown. After being released by WWE in 2021, Black debuted in AEW as Malakai Black and gained popularity with the fan-favorite faction, House of Black. Now, Black is back in WWE and fans are excited to see what he can bring to the ring.
Indian Olympic javelin champion, Neeraj Chopra, defends his decision to invite Pakistani athlete, Arshad Nadeem, to compete in the upcoming NC Classic event in India. Despite receiving backlash and even threats towards himself and his family, Chopra stands by his invitation and expresses disappointment in the doubting of his loyalty and integrity to his country. He also voices his thoughts and prayers for the victims of a recent terrorist attack in Kashmir.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has faced criticism and hate for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru. Neeraj clarified that the invitation was sent before the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and was solely based on Arshad's status as an Olympic gold medallist. He also stated that, in light of the tragedy, Arshad's participation in the event was no longer possible.
After a string of home defeats, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally emerged victorious at the Chinnaswamy Stadium against the Rajasthan Royals, thanks to their captain Virat Kohli and a strong bowling unit. Kohli's unbeaten 70 runs and intense celebrations on the field reflected the high-stakes nature of the match, which saw both teams giving it their all. With this win, RCB moves up to the third spot on the league table with six wins in nine games.
India's star javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, has spoken up about the criticism he received for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to compete in the Neeraj Chopra Classic event. Despite declining the invitation, Nadeem's presence at the event was deemed inappropriate following the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam. Chopra clarified that the invitation was sent well before the attacks and expressed his love for his country and family amidst the backlash. He also addressed the false narratives being spread about him and his family and vowed to continue representing India with pride and integrity.
Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood's brilliant performance against Rajasthan Royals' batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal caught the attention of viewers during an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals. In an intense competition, Hazlewood was able to dismiss Jaiswal just shy of a half-century, leading to a heated exchange between the two players. Hazlewood's final figures of 4 for 33 played a critical role in RCB's narrow 11-run victory.