Match Center

Right then! That is it from this game as Afghanistan win the series with a game to go. Zimbabwe now would look to play freely and get the consolation win. Can they do it? We will find out in the 3rd T20I on 20th March 2021. That game begins at 1400 local (1000 GMT). Till then cheers and take care.

Mohammad Nab is named as the MAN OF THE MATCH. He says that they were in a good position and Zimbabwe brought in their spinners and he had to take them on. He mentions that it was a good wicket to bat. Further says that it has been a long time he got wickets and he is happy with it. He hopes to continue the good work and contribute to the team's cause.

Victorious Afghanistan skipper, Asghar Afghan says it gives a huge boost to them ahead of the T20 World Cup. Further says that they have a plan and they play according to it. Praises the partnership between Usman Ghani and Karim Janat. Ends by saying that he is happy with the all-rounders contributing to the team's win.

Zimbabwe skipper, Sean Williams says that he is disappointed. He says that they started well with the ball but then with the bat they lost 4 wickets in the powerplay and they would look to what went wrong and try and analyse the shot selection. He mentions that they look to remain positive for the last game. he says that he and Raza can also open the innings if needed. He ends by saying that they will come out strongly for the final game.

Karim Janat is down for a chat. He says that there was a need for the partnership and he stayed at the crease to stitch one. He mentions that when Ryan Burl and Richmond Mutumbami played he felt that the match was going away from them. On his own bowling, he says that he just used the variations today and it worked for him.

Earlier in the day, Afghanistan on the back of a 102-run stand between Usman Ghani and Karim Janat who both contributed with 49 and 53 respectively. Later it was the Nabi show as he carted the Zimbabwean bowlers all over the park for 15-ball 40.  Afghan and Rashid then laid the finishing touches to the flourishing innings as the racked up 193 runs on the board. Zimbabwe started well with the ball but then lost the plot in the middle overs only to be carted at the death by the power-hitting Afghanistan batsmen. Only Ryan Burl was good with the ball as he conceded just 7 runs in his two overs and picked up a wicket too. Blessing Muzarabani ended with a couple but it came at the expense of runs. In the end a poor bowling performance and reckless batting at the top caused Zimbabwe the game. Lets hear it from Karim Janat as he shares his thoughts about his performance today.

What a bowling performance from Afghanistan? They were just too clinical in their approach and that earned them the win. Asghar Afghan used six bowlers and all delivered. Naveen-ul-Haq and Mohammad Nabi delivered at the start as they bowled ended with a couple of wickets. Amir Hamza and Farid Malik too ended with a wicket apiece and the star bowler for Afghanistan, Rashid Khan who was carted early on in the innings came back strongly to finish with three wickets which included the wicket of Ryan Burl. Overall a complete performance in the field sees them take an unassailable lead.

Chasing a total of 194 runs Zimbabwe could not get to a flourishing start as they lost half their side for just 56 runs. But the stand between Richmond Mutumbami and Ryan Burl brought them into the game and kept them hopeful too but their departure in quick succession and the 3-wicket over from Rashid Khan just snatched away any momentum they had in the game. In the end, they saw themselves on the losing side.

A brilliant all-round performance from Afghanistan sees them win the second T20I easily and take the series. A perfect way to prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup later in the year. Zimbabwe would be disappointed with their performance both with the ball as well as the bat.

OUT! BOWLED! That is it from Zimbabwe! A full yorker around off, Muzarabani fails to dig it out and sees the stumps take the beating. AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 45 RUNS!

OUT! BOWLED! Three in the over! Zimbabwe are 9 down! Full on off, Tiripano is late to play the reverse sweep as he misses to see his off stump get uprooted.

Full on middle, Tiripano nudges it to the leg side as Muzarabani comes charging down the track.Tiripano sends him back and the tall man has the turn and makes his ground.

SIX! Flatter and around off, Tiripano slogs it over deep square leg for a biggie.

Blessing Muzarabani is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Rashid has another one! Floated around off, Mavuta hoicks it over to long on where Naveen-ul-Haq takes the catch.

On middle, whipped to mid-wicket for a single.

Brandon Mavuta is the new man in.