AFG vs ZIM Match 2 Live Commentary - Abu Dhabi (19 October 2026)

Good running between the wickets! Angling in, full and on the bodyline, Nabi flicks it away to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

OUT! CAUGHT BY SIKANDAR! Evans continues to have a productive tri-series with the ball. A four-for against Bangladesh and now a three-wicket haul. Bowls a full delivery, outside off, Nabi clears the front leg and attempts to thump it over long off, but the ball gets sliced off the toe end. As a result, Nabi gets more height than distance. Raza runs in a few steps from long off and almost misjudges the trajectory, but takes a fine catch in the end. Afghanistan are 292/9, with four balls left.

 Swing and a miss! Short of a length and around off. Farooqi looks to pull but gets beaten due to the extra bounce.

 Back of a length, angled down leg. Farooqi shifts across and attempts the pull, only to miss. The keeper, Taylor, spills it to his left, gifting away a bye.

Bashes the length hard, outside off, Ziaur swings the bat like a rusty gate, but fails to get any sort of connection. This is proving to be a superb final over for Zimbabwe.

OUT! ZIAUR IS RUN OUT! Full by Evans, around the off stump. Rahman stays deep inside the crease and clears the front leg. Heaves it off the inner half of the bat to deep mid-wicket and they push hard for the second run. But Wessly Madhevere is quick to attack the ball from the deep and unleashes a flat throw to the batting end, where Ziaur is backing up too far. Brendan Taylor collects the throw by standing beside the stumps and dislodges the bails in a flash. Afghanistan are bowled out on 294 after 50 overs.

FOUR! Up and over! Short one by Blessing, on middle, angling into the body. AM Ghazanfar looks to pull but gets a massive top edge, getting rushed on the shot. It clears mid on and trickles into the long on fence for a four.

Back of a length, on off, Ghazanfar backs away and knocks it wide of mid off for a single.

Pace-off delivery, on a length and outside off, Nabi waits back and cuts it behind backward point for a single.

Swing and a miss! Another slower one, outside off on a good length, Ghazanfar swings across the line to pull but fails to connect.

Beaten again! Smart bowling by Muzarabani. At pace now, slammed hard into the pitch, outside off, AM Ghazanfar looks to carve it over the point region but gets comprehensively beaten by pace and bounce.

OUT! MISTIMED AND CAUGHT! Wicket number two for Muzarabani. He digs in another bumper, on the top of off and extracts good lift from the surface. AM Ghazanfar stands tall and tries to hook it over square leg but the ball gets big on him and he only manages to get a top edge. It spoons up over mid on and Wellington Masakadza lurks underneath it to complete a straightforward catch. Afghanistan are 290/8.

On a length, around middle and off, Nabi chips this behind the bowler to the left of long on for two runs. 

Hard length, on middle and leg, Mohammad Nabi works this through square leg for a single. 

Well-directed bumper, on middle and off, Rashid Khan goes for the pull but misses out. 

Second bumper of the over by Brad Evans, on off this time, Rashid Khan doesn't back off and goes for the pull but misses out again. 

 OUT! TIMBER TIME! Slower one, bowled fuller and on the off-pole, Rashid Khan completely loses his body shape as he looks to tonk this big and far over the leg side. But he doesn't pick the slower one and the ball sneaks past Rashid's bat to clatter into the off-pole. Evans and Rashid both exchange smirky smiles with the former picking up his second wicket. Afghanistan are now 283 for 7. 

Good length, on the pads, AM Ghazanfar works this to mid-wicket for a run. 

Clever by Blessing Muzarabani as he bowls a bouncer on leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi looks to create a bit of room to free his arms but gets followed by the bowler and ends up ducking down on this. 

 OUT! CAUGHT! The short stuff ploy comes good for Muzarabani as he sees the back of Hashmatullah Shahidi. Short again, on middle and off, Hashmatullah Shahidi moves away from his stumps to his leg side and cuts it aerially. But it is too close to his body, with not much room to completely free his arms. Ends up hitting it straight into the hands of Ryan Burl at the deep backward point region. 

Short and wide of off, Rashid Khan looks to play the square cut but misses out. 

 FOUR! Carved away for four. Short and wide of off again, on middle and off, Rashid Khan stays deep inside the crease and cuts this to the left of Ernest Masuku at deep third for four runs. 

 FOUR! The short stuff might just not work against Rashid Khan. Short again, around off, Rashid Khan this time gets up on his toes and cuts this to the right of the deep third fielder and adds four more to his tally. 

Blessing Muzarabani bowls it on a fuller length, around off, Rashid Khan jumps down and away, looking to hit this over covers but misses. 

FOUR! A boundary after 29 deliveries for Afghanistan. Pitched-up delivery, around the pads, Hashmatullah Shahidi moves away from his stumps to his leg side and drives this in the gap through the covers region for a boundary. 

Good length, around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi guides this to point for a single. 

Back of a length, around off, Mohammad Nabi cuts this through cover-point for a run. 

Bouncer, on leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi ducks down on this. 

 FOUR! Excellent from Shahidi to put this away to the fence. Short and wide of off, Hashmatullah Shahidi moves away to his leg side and throws fast hands at it. Cuts this through the gap between deep third and backward point for a boundary. 

Short and on leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi pulls this through square leg for a single. 

Flighted delivery, on middle and off, Hashmatullah Shahidi looks to work this around to the leg side but gets it edged to covers. 

Short and wide of off, Hashmatullah Shahidi punches this through the covers region for a brace. 

Floated into the batter, on his pads, Hashmatullah Shahidi flicks this through mid-wicket for a single. 

 OUT! CAUGHT! The centurion departs on 102. Fuller around middle and off, Sediqullah Atal goes down on one knee and looks to play the slog sweep. It's a bit of a tired-looking shot and it is miscued off the top edge. The ball travels towards long on instead of deep mid-wicket. Tafadzwa Tsiga runs in off the ropes with his eyes locked on the ball like a hawk. He dives forward and scoops the ball perfectly, inches above the ground.

Tossed up, on middle and off, Mohammad Nabi blocks this off his front foot. 

Off-break on the pads, Mohammad Nabi milks this through the square leg region for a couple of runs. 

On a length, around middle and off, Sediqullah Atal punches this to long off for a brace. Atal moves to 98.

Full and on the pads, Sediqullah Atal flicks this through square leg for a single. 

Good length, on the pads, Hashmatullah Shahidi pushes this to the mid on region and takes a run. Brings Atal back on strike. 250 up for Afghanistan!

 3rd ODI CENTURY FOR ATAL. Second against Zimbabwe. On a length, around middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal punches this past the bowler to his left and takes a few strides, waiting for the ball to beat mid on. The ball goes past a diving mid on fielder and the batters run three. He has shown a real appetite for big scores, and after 98 and 143 in his previous two ODI innings, he has backed it up with another, fighting almost single-handedly for his side. He drops to his knees, kisses the ground and thanks the Almighty. A well-paced innings from the emerging left-hander.

Short and on middle and leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi swivels and gets it away with a top-edge to fine leg for two runs. 

Full and on middle and off, Shahidi pushes this through mid off for a single. 

Smartly bowled! Seeing Shahidi show his cards early by advancing down the track, Sikandar cunningly fires one outside off and full. Hashmatullah tries to reach out to smash it to the cover region but fails to connect as the ball beats his outside edge. Taylor is quick to gather and dislodge the bails. There's an appeal for stumping and the replay shows that Shahidi had his back leg well inside the crease and grounded completely.

Dropped short and outside off, this is dragged across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

An in-drifter into the body, Atal whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Another incredible piece of fielding by Bennett. Making amends for his early lapses. Full and fired into the pads, drifting down leg. Shahidi shuffles across and drops low, sweeping towards deep backward square leg. The fielder, Brian, runs a long way, dives to his left and flicks it back inside the rope, keeping it to two. The replay confirms that it is a clean effort.

Short and wide outside off, Shahidi hangs back and cuts it to deep backward point for a single.

Pitched full and on the stumps, Atal shimmies down the track and works it to long on for a single. Moves to 96, does Atal.

Bangs it short on the leg stump, Shahidi ducks underneath it.

 Too close for comfort! Very casual from Shahidi. The yorker lands right on the stumps, and he works it off his hips towards square leg, then sets off for a quick single but gets sent back by Atal. Evans swoops with a full-length dive, spots Shahidi trying to scramble back, and rolls the ball underarm at the stumps. Direct hit is scored, but the replay shows that Shahidi has made his ground comfortably.

 Atal gets a hard length ball straight onto his pads and tucks it away to deep fine leg. The ball is on its way slowly, so he turns and takes the second run comfortably, with the weak throw from Curran giving him all the time he needs.

Short of a good length and around off. Atal dabs it down with the outer half of the bat to the right of backward point for a quick single.

Slams it hard into the pitch and follows the batter who shuffles outside leg for the ramp shot. Shahidi goes through his shot but the ball jumps over his bat.

Atal better thank his lucky stars. Madhevere's throw from backward point missed the stumps at the keeper's end, and a direct hit would have left him in real trouble. He had jabbed at a length delivery just short of a good length, and pushed it to Madhevere's left and set off for a very tight single.

FOUR! PUNISHED! Full and flat, outside off, Atal lunges and absolutely belts it through covers for a cracking boundary.

Drifting into the pads, full in length, Atal clips it between mid-wicket and square leg for a single.

Quicker one, full on off, Shahid drags it through mid on for a single.

Generously flighted up, full on the stumps, Atal leans on and drills it to long on for a single.

Dropped fuller, outside off, tapped away to cover-point.

Serves it full and outside off, Shahidi comes forward and smears it to long off for a single.

Full and wide of off, Hashmatullah Shahidi guides this to point for no run.

On a length, wide of off, going across the batter, Hashmatullah Shahidi swings and misses. 

Full and on middle and leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi rolls this down to long on for a single. 

Good length, around off, Atal drives this to the left of short extra cover for no run. 

Short and on leg, Sediqullah Atal pulls this through mid-wicket for a brace. 

Good length, on off, Sediqullah Atal pushes this int eh gap on off for a run. 

Short and on middle and off, Sediqullah Atal pulls this through mid-wicket for one run. 

Good length, on off, Hashmatullah Shahidi keeps it out. 

On a length, around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi defends this to covers for no run.

Short again, on leg, Sediqullah Atal hooks this to fine leg for a run. 

Good length, around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi guides this to deep third for one.

Great effort by Bennett this time. Certainly saves a boundary. Banged in short at leg stump, and Atal has all the time in the world. He rides the bounce and rolls the pull to the left of deep square leg, where Bennett slides across and hauls it back from the rope with a flick. Masuku swoops in from deep fine leg to finish the relay, and the batters have to settle for two. The TV umpire checks for any touch of the boundary, but the replay gives it the all-clear.

Good length, on middle and off, Atal blocks this out. 

On a length, around off, Sediqullah Atal punches this to short covers. 

Short and on middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal pulls this through mid-wicket for a single. 

On a length, around middle and leg, Azmatullah Omarzai tucks this to the right of the bowler for no run.

Masuku bowls it full and on middle and leg, Azmatullah Omarzai punches this on the bounce, back to the bowler. 

 OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Fantastic catch behind the stumps by Brendan Taylor and Ernest Masuku has his third of the game. Ernest Masuku bowls it full and wide of off, and Azmatullah Omarzai throws his bat at it to access the off side, but does not move his feet at all and outside edges it to the keeper's right. Brendan Taylor, turning back the years at 40, athletically dives to his right and plucks it one-handed. Masuku is pumped up to bits and why not? He has been the most impactful bowler for the Chevrons today.

WIDE! Back of a length, way too wide of off. Wided. 

Hard length, around off, Azmatullah Omarzai pushes this through point for a single. 

Good length, wide of off, Sediqullah Atal leans back and cuts this to the left of deep third for a couple of runs. This was hit in the air but away from a diving backward point fielder. 

Good length, on off, Sediqullah Atal rocks back and dabs this to the point region for a single. 

On a length, around off, Azmatullah Omarzai punches this to extra cover for no run.

Full and wide of off, Azmatullah Omarzai drives this through covers for a brace. 

 FOUR! It has been carved away to the fence for a boundary. Back of a length, around off, Azmatullah Omarzai gets up on his toes and cuts this through the point region. Brian Bennett sprints to his left, puts in a dive but the effort goes in vain as he fails to stop it. 11 runs off the over. Bennett is down on his haunches, absolutely disappointed with himself. Raza with a blank look on his face. Zimbabwe have been really indisciplined in the field today.

Good length, on middle and off, Shah blocks this out. 

On a length, around off, Rahmat Shah drives this to short extra cover for no run. 

 OUT! CASTLED! Ernest Masuku comes back into the attack and picks up another one. On a length, around middle and off, with a massive deviation into the batter. Rahmat Shah clears his front foot and aims to hoick it over the mid-wicket fielder but misses out. The ball beats the inside edge and sneaks through to rattle the timber. Absolute peach of a delivery and that's wicket number two for Masuku. Rahmat departs without making any big impact.

Ernest bowls it full and on middle and off, Azmatullah Omarzai punches this to mid off for no run.

Good length, on the pads, Azmatullah Omarzai works this through square leg for a run. 

Off-cutter, short one, on leg, Atal checks the pull and gets it edged towards the fine leg region. Two runs taken. 

Floated on middle and off, Rahmat Shah punches this back to the bowler. 

Off-break on the pads, Shah flicks this through the fine leg region for a single. That brings the 200 up for Afghanistan!

Fuller on middle and off, Atal punches this down to long on for a run.

Under-cutter, on the pads, Rahmat Shah goes down on a knee and sweeps this through backward square leg for a single. 

Fired into the batter, on middle and leg, Atal blocks this to the left of the bowler. 

Fuller on off, Atal defends this to silly mid off. 

Good length, around off, Atal cuts this to the right of backward point for no run.

On a length, around off, Atal punches this to mid off for a dot. 

Bouncer, on leg, Atal ducks down on this one. 

Brad bowls it a touch fuller, wide of off, back of the hand. Sediqullah Atal dances down the track and chips this to the left of the deep cover fielder for two runs. 

LEG BYE! Short one, on middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal goes for the pull but misses and gets rammed on the badge of his helmet. The ball deflects away on the leg side and the batters take a run. Atal looks rattled. Mandatory concussion check to be done. 

On a length, around the pads, Rahmat flicks this through mid-wicket for a single. 

Floated on middle and off, Atal cuts this to deep point for a single. 

Off-break, on middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tucks this to mid on for no run. 

Fuller on middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz pushes this back to the bowler's right. 

Tossed up, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz punches this firmly to the left of the bowler for another dot. 

 FOUR! That's been cut away in the gap for four more runs. Short of a length, around off, Rahmat Shah rocks deep inside the crease and cuts this off his back foot through the gap between covers and extra cover for a boundary. Rahmat Shah completes 7000 List A runs with that magnificent hit.

Too full, on off, Shah keeps it out. 

Good length, on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran flicks this through mid on for a dot. 

 FOUR! Oh, no! The sloppiness in the field is plaguing the group now. Ibrahim Zadran moves into 90s. Short and pulled down firmly towards a wide-ish deep mid-wicket. Bennett comes running to his left and tries to flick the ball back in with his left hand, but he makes a meal of it and the ball dribbles on towards the rope.

Back of a length, on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran defends it out.

Back of a length, on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran punches this to the left of mid off for no run.

On a length, around middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran punches this to mid off for no run.

 OUT! CAUGHT! Ibrahim Zadran falls on 90, caught in the deep, and has to walk back. Brad bowls it short on middle and off, and Zadran goes for the pull but can't keep it down. He gets a top edge, and the ball travels all the way to deep backward square leg, where Tafadzwa Tsiga makes no mistake. He dives towards the ball and holds a good tumbling catch. Zadran will be disappointed not to convert his knock into a hundred, but it was a fine, fine innings regardless. Afghanistan are 190/2.

Flicker on middle and leg, Atal punches this to the right of mid-wicket for no run.

 FOUR! Up and over for a boundary. Fuller and around off from Raza, and Sediqullah Atal skips down the track and chips it over the leaping fielder at cover. Newman Nyamhuri, the sub fielder, runs to his right and dives full length, but the ball seeps under him and races away to the fence. Raza lets his frustration known to the fielder. A sloppy effort, really.

Full and flat on middle and leg, Atal tucks this to mid-wicket. 

Darted on the pads, Atal once again flicks this to mid-wicket for no run.

Full and wide of off, Atal drives this to the right of covers and takes a run. The fielder failed to gather this at all. 

Off-break, on middle and leg, Zadran punches this off his back foot down to long on for one. 

Floated on middle and off, Atal blocks this one. 

FOUR! That has been hit in the gap for four runs. Fuller on middle and off, Sediqullah Atal goes down on one knee and slog-sweeps it wide to the right of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a boundary. 

Pushed through on middle and off, Atal punches this through the left of the bowler for a single. 

Short of a length, on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran rocks back and pulls this through the mid-wicket region for a couple of runs. 

Floated on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran punts this back to the bowler. 

Fired into the batter, Zadran blocks it out. 

Raza bowls a fuller one, on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran punches this down to long off for a single. 

 FOUR! Atal flirts with Blessing Muzarabani again and gets a boundary. Around the wicket, full and going down the leg side, Atal drops to one knee for the sweep. He gets a top edge that loops over Muzarabani at short fine leg, goes over his stretched right hand and rolls away to the fence.

Too full, around middle and off, Sediqullah Atal punches this to the left of the bowler for no run. 

Quicker one, around off, Sediqullah Atal jams it out. 

Tossed up, wide of off, Sediqullah Atal leans back and cuts this through point for a single. 

Full and wide of off, Ibrahim Zadran swings at it but misses out. 

Tossed up, around off, Atal pushes this back to the bowler. 

Tossed up, on middle and leg, Atal jumps down the track and pushes this to the short mid-wicket fielder. 

Short of a length, on middle and off, Atal punches this down to long on for a single. 

Floated into the batter, on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran thumps this down to long on for a run.

 DROPPED! Atal has been given life by Blessing Muzarabani on 52. Fuller around off, Sediqullah Atal chips this straight towards the long off fielder. Blessing Muzarabani runs in from the fence and puts in the dive but doesn't get hold of it at all. One run taken.

Tossed up, around off, Zadran punches this in the gap on off for a single. 

Pushed through on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran punches this down the ground for a single. 

Fired around off, Sediqullah Atal drives this to extra cover for no run.

 FOUR! And that's FIFTY FOR SEDIQULLAH ATAL! Short of a length and around off, he rocks back and punches it past the right of extra cover to reach the milestone. It's another masterful knock from his blade, following the 111 in the one-off Test against Bangladesh at this very venue. Today he has again batted with ease to bring up his fourth ODI fifty. The fielder at extra cover really should have stopped that, though.

Floated on the pads, Atal tucks this to mid-wicket for no run.

Darted around off, Sediqullah Atal plays this late and cuts this to backward point for no run. 

Fuller around off, Atal cuts this late to deep third for one run.

On a flatter trajectory, full around leg, Atal firmly sweeps it to the deep square leg region. The fielder there moves a bit to his left and fumbles to collect the ball cleanly. Two runs taken.

Fuller on middle and off, Sediqullah Atal defends this off his front foot.

Wrong'un around off, Atal dances down the track and chips this in front of the long off fielder for a single. 'Catch it' is the call, but the ball drops a few good yards ahead of Muzarabani there.

Short of a length, on mdidle and off, Ibrahim Zadran punches this to extra cover. 

Floated on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran gets it edged off the inside onto his pads. 

Fuller on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran flicks this through mid on for a single. 

Full outside off, Atal reverse sweeps it to short third.

No Outside off and short, Atal drags it across to short mid-wicket.

Loopy ball, full on leg, Atal gently drives it to long on for a single.

150 up for Afghanistan! Sliding onto the leg stump, full in length, Ibrahim sits across on a knee and paddles it fine to the deep fine leg region for a couple of runs. That also brings up the 100-run partnership between Zadran and Sediqullah.

Quicker and shorter, on leg, Ibrahim hangs back and heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slower through the air, full and outside off, Atal neatly drives it to long off for a solo.

A smidge short and outside off, Zadran punches it through extra cover and mid off for a single.

PUT DOWN? Ryan's reaction says yes. Burl bowls the googly, full and outside the off stump. Sediqullah Atal is sucked on the front foot and tries to push it straight, but he doesn't pick the variation off the bowler's wrist. Gets a faint outside edge but Taylor cannot cling on it. Oh, hang on, the UltraEdge later shows a flat line.

On leg and full, driven down to long on for a single.

Fuller one and again, this is driven down to long on for one.

Looped up, full toss, on leg, Atal works it down to long on for a single.

A mix-up but no harm done! Tossed up full and wide of off at 80.7 kph. Zadran can only slap it towards the left of cover point. Madhevere flings himself across and gathers it cleanly, but the two batters are suddenly at sixes and sevens. Atal is sent back and just about makes his ground. Madhevere's throw misses the stumps at the bowling end.

Around off and short, knocked off the back foot to extra cover.

Generously flighted on a fuller length, Atal leans forward and eases it through mid on for a single.

Drags the length back, on middle, Zadran whips it across to square leg.

Flatter and fuller, firmly flicked to short mid-wicket.

Outside off and full, Zadran drives it off the front foot to long off. One more.

 A slight appeal for LBW, but turned down. Looks like it is going down leg but Raza and Taylor are having a detailed chat about it. Eventually, they opt not to review. From around the stumps, this is drifted down to the leg stump, on a fuller length, Atal goes down on a knee and tries to sweep but plays the wrong line. Gets beaten on the inside edge and is struck on the front pad.

Full and outside off, Zadran drives it to short cover.

 FOUR! Wonderful shot! Dropped short and outside off, Zadran covers the stumps, sinks his back knee into the pitch and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

FOUR! Back-to-back for Zadran! Short and quick, outside off, Zadran looks to cut it in front of square, but gets a thick outside edge, but it flows to the left of short third for a boundary.

On a fuller length, pushed back to the bowler.

Short outside off, Zadran punches it hard to cover.

Very full on the leg stump, Zadran drills it straight back to the bowler. Burl dives on his follow-through and makes a fine stop with his right hand. He throws it immediately towards the keeper, showing a bit of frustration.

Full and floating in, Atal sweeps it behind square leg for a single.

Flatter and fuller, on leg, Zadran hammers it down the ground for a single to long on.

Shoritsh in length, outside off, Atal punches it to mid off.

On the stumps and full, swept straight to the short fine leg fielder.

Short on leg, this is gently nudged to the right of short fine leg for a single.

A bit fuller now and Zadran strokes it down to long on for a single.

Fuller in length, around leg, Atal drills it to long on for a single.

Drifts in on a length, on middle. Zadran hangs back and slaps it to widish long off for a single.

 SIX! Outstanding batting! Serves it right up in the slot, full and outside off, Atal jumps down the track and marvellously lofts it over widish long off for a six. Atal moves to 35.

The length is pulled back, short on off, Atal knocks it to the left of the bowler.

On the stumps, full in length, Atal drives it gun-barrel straight down the ground for a single.

Slows it up, full and outside off, Zadran tries to drive it to the cover region, but gets an inside edge and the ball rolls back to the bowler.

A length ball, outside off, Atal eases it to long off for a single.

Too full, outside off, carved away on the bounce to cover.

Beaten! The carrom ball from Raza, on a length, outside off, Zadran doesn't pick that variation and tries to whack it over covers, but the ball turns away to zip past the outside edge.

Full in length and driven down to mid off.

Full on the stumps, Zadran lunges and defends.

A bit full and outside off, Ibrahim pushes it to extra cover. Excellent over from Raza. Just a single off it.

Drops it full around off, Atal shimmies down the track and pushes it to extra cover.

 FOUR! Helped away! Darts in a short ball, on the leg stump, Atal gets across and sweep-pulls it to the deep fine leg region. Ben Curran gives it a chase from the circle and dives to flick the ball back but his effort goes in vain.

Outside off, and this is driven wide of cover for a single.

Quicker and fuller, outside off, Ibrahim drives it to extra cover.

 SIX! WOWZA! How good is this? Just a fraction short, on the stumps, Ibrahim transfers his weight onto the back foot and nails the pull shot over deep mid-wicket for a six. Effortless batting, this.

Touch full on the leg stump, Ibrahim Zadran flicks it to the right of the diving mid-wicket fielder for a couple of runs. 13 runs from the over.

Pushed through, full on middle, Zadran drills it back to Raza.

Dishes out the off-break, short around off, Zadran punches it to widish long off for a single.

Floated up, full and outside off, Atal leans forward and drives it to deep cover for one more.

Full and outside off, Zadran creams it away to long off for another single.

Drifted onto the pads, on a length. Sediqullah Atal tucks it to the left of mid-wicket for a single.

Quicker one, 94.3 kph, full and outside off. Zadran forces the arm ball to mid off.

Lands it short from around the stumps, outside off, Zadran punches it wide of mid off for a single.

From over the stumps now. Short, spinning in on off, Atal hangs back and runs it down to long on for a single.

 FIFTY UP FOR IBRAHIM ZADRAN! Off 47 balls, and that's his 11th ODI half-century. It has been a fluent knock so far from him and he will be eyeing a big one for his side. Short and outside off, crisply punched down to long off for a single. Zadran raises his bat and acknowledges the applause from his teammates. With that, the 100 comes up for Afghanistan, with the 50-run stand also up between this pair.

On a length, outside off, worked away to long off for one more.

Wide! Slides one down leg, full in length, Ibrahim misses the flick.

Lands it full on the stumps, Zadran drives it down the ground for a single to long on.

Oh, slight hold on the surface. Around off and on a length, spinning in. Atal covers the stumps and bunts it down the pitch.

Spins in on leg, a touch full, pushed back to the bowler.

Full in length, on the leg stump, Ibrahim flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

The carrom ball, short and outside off, Atal hangs back and cuts it through cover-point for a single.

Turns in onto the pads, full in length, Zadran nudges it to the square leg region. Atal looks for the single, is halfway through too, but is sent back by Ibrahim.

Full again and this is clipped to square leg with soft hands.

Dropped short on off, Zadran drags it down to long on for a single.

Half-hearted appeal for caught behind, but not given. Only the bowler is interested whereas Taylor, the keeper does not even bother to appeal. Fuller in length, outside off, Atal throws his bat at it to loft it over covers, but the ball nips away and beats the outside edge by a whisker.

 FOUR! Through the gap! Short of a length on the leg stump, sits up nicely for the left-hander. Atal picks the length early and pulls it behind square. Beats the deep fine leg fielder to his right for a boundary.

FOUR! What a beautiful shot! Too full, outside off, right in the slot. Atal leans on it and magnificently laces it through cover for a cracking boundary. Fluently played.

On a back of a length, around leg, Atal steers it through square leg for an easy single.

Angled in and around middle, on a length, Zadran strokes it to the mid on region and steals a quick single.

Stays a bit low on the bounce. On a length on the stumps, Atal negotiates nicely and stabs it to the leg side.

Flat and full on the stumps, Atal drives it to long off for a single. It is called a No Ball for overstepping. Ibrahim will face the Free Hit.

 SIX! Goes the distance! A tad fuller in length, around middle and off, Ibrahim picks the length and swings it wonderfully over the deep mid-wicket fielder for a six.

The in-angler on a fuller length, on leg, Zadran drills it to long on for a single.

From around the stump. Sikandar gets a bit of grip and turn from a length, on leg, Sediqullah Atal tickles it to short fine leg.

Dishes out the top-spinner, full around off, Atal watchfully defends.

Nicely tossed up, full on the stumps, drifting in, Atal clips it to short mid-wicket.

A bit short and angling at the pads, Atal waits back and whisks it to the right of short fine leg for a single.

On a good length, outside off, Ibrahim crisply punches it on the up through cover. The sweeper sprints to his right and puts in a dive to cut it off in the deep. Two runs taken.

Onto the stumps, almost a yorker, Zadran shovels it back to the bowler.

Pitched on a length, on middle, Zadran knocks it to mid on.

 FOUR! Shot of the match so far! A half-volley by Ernest, on the stumps, straight on. Ibrahim Zadran plays with a straight bat and creams the straight drive and it rifles away to the fence. No need to run for that.

A touch full and around off, Zadran mistimes the drive to mid off.

 FOUR! Lovely! Looks to be the off-cutter from Masuku, full on off, Zadran presents full face of the bat again and cracks the straight drive, beats the bowler to his left and it races to the fence. Zadran is looking really imposing today and he moves to 38. 10 runs off the over.

Short and on the leg stump. He extracts good bounce off the pitch and beats Atal's attempted pull shot. It goes over his angled bat and keeps rising. Brendan Taylor leaps up to pluck it with his right hand but cannot grab it cleanly. It deflects away to deep fine leg for a couple of byes.

On middle and leg, this is flicked to mid-wicket.

Full, holding on the surface, Atal strokes it down to mid on.

With pace taken off, Evans goes wide outside off, full in length, Atal cuts it straight to the backward point fielder.

On a back of a length, outside off, Sediqullah hangs back and knocks it to deep cover-point for a single.

Digs it in, short and at the shoulder height. Zadran stands tall and controls the pull shot along the ground. A single at deep square leg.

Back of a length, around off, Atal punches this to extra cover. 

Good length, around off, Sediqullah Atal blocks this off his front foot. 

On a length, wide of off, angling away from the batter. Atal collapses  his back knee and looks to loft this over covers but misses out. 

Good length, on middle and leg, angling away from the batter. Sediqullah Atal rocks onto his back foot and keeps it out. 

Full and on the pads, Sediqullah Atal flicks this through the left of the mid on fielder for three runs. 

Masuku bowls it on a length, around middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran keeps it out.

On a length, around off, Zadran pushes this to covers for no run.

Brad again goes full and bowls it on the pads, Zadran punches this down to mid on.

Good length, on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran punches this to extra cover for no run.

Full and on the pads, Ibrahim Zadran tucks this to mid on for no run.

Back of a length, on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran punches this up on his toes to extra cover for no run.

FOUR! Finds the gap this time for a boundary. Back of a length, around middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran gets up on his toes and punches it through the gap between extra cover and cover for a boundary. Lovely timing and placement.

 OUT! CHOPPED ON! In comes Ernest Masuku and outwalks Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Ernest bowls it on a length, wide of off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz charges down the track and looks to impose pressure on the bowler straightaway with a swing over mid off. But the ball jags in a bit, takes the inside edge and just hammers back into the middle stump. Gurbaz departs on 25. 

On a length, wide of off, Atal leaves it all alone. 

NO BALL! Back of a length, around middle and off, Sediqullah Atal gets up on his toes and keeps it out. Ernest Masuku has overstepped and it will be a No Ball with a Free-Hit to follow. 

Full and wide of off, Sediqullah Atal lofts this over the extra cover region for a brace. 

Short and on middle and off, Atal works this to mid-wicket for no run.

On a length, around off, going across the batter. Atal blocks this off the front foot.

Good length, around middle and off, Atal pushes this off his back foot to the onside for no run.

 SIX! Too good by Gurbaz. Short and on middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away to create a bit of room and marvellously cuts it over the backward point region. The ball lands on the other side of the rope for a six.

Good length delivery, around off, Gurbaz dabs this gently down the strip and takes a single.

On a length, around off, Ibrahim Zadran gets it away from the outside edge towards the third man fielder for a single. 

Full and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz punches this past the bowler for one run.

Back of a length, on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran gets up on his toes and tucks this to the right of mid-wicket for one run.

Short and around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz cuts this late and off his back foot to deep third for a single. The 50-run partnership ​​​​​​comes up between Gurbaz and Ibrahim. A very productive start for the Afghans. On air, Mazhar Uddin informs us that these two have now crossed fifty in partnership as an opening pair for the eighth time in ODIs.

Good length, around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tucks this to mid-wicket for no run.

Good length, on middle and off, Gurbaz defends this one.

In the air but lands safely. Brad hits the deck hard, bowls it on a length, wide of off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to loft this over mid off but doesn't get the connection he was after. Manages to barely clear the mid off fielder and takes a single. 

Brad bowls it on a good length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches this back to the bowler. 

On a length, around middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran tucks this to mid on for no run. 

Evans sticks to that 6-8 m length, bowls it on top of off, Ibrahim Zadran gets behind the line of the ball and keeps it out.

On a length, around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz punches this to extra cover for no run.

 FOUR! Gurbaz is on the attack now. Good length, on the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz uses the depth of the crease and rocks back, flicks this with a collapsed back leg and the ball finds the gap to the left of the fine leg fielder for a boundary. One bounce and into the fence.

LEG BYE! Good length, on the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz misses on the flick and gets it clipped off his pads for a leg bye to square leg. 

Back of a length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it away to mid off.

Good length, on off, Ibrahim Zadran punches this to mid off for no run.

 FOUR! That's been glanced away to the fence for four runs. Pitched-up delivery, a touch too straight on the pads, Ibrahim Zadran picks it up and glances it over mid-wicket for a boundary. The ball lands well behind mid-wicket, bounces once, twice and then rolls into the boundary cushion. 

On a length, around the pads, Gurbaz flicks this through fine leg for a single.

Back of a length, on the pads, Ibrahim leans inside the line of the ball and flicks this to long leg for a couple.

Good length, on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it right back to the bowler. 

Brad bowls it short and on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran pulls it off the top edge. It flies over square leg and lands safely in the deep. Blessing Muzarabani comes hopping across from deep fine leg and picks it up. Two runs taken.

On a length, around middle and off, angling into the batter. Ibrahim gets it edged off the inside edge and gets hit on his front pad for a dot. 

 FOUR! Edged away, but no slip and it races away. Good length, wide of off, Ibrahim Zadran looks to punch it down the ground but the ball nips away a bit and an outside edge is found. However, with no one in the cordon, the ball flies past the right of the keeper for a boundary at deep third.

Short and on leg, at the left armpit. Gurbaz gets up on his toes and dabs it in front of mid-wicket. 

 FOUR! Width on offer and Gurbaz makes Blessing pay. Short and wide of off, Gurbaz uses the width on offer and cuts it powerfully through the gap between point and deep third for a boundary. 

Good cricket from Gurbaz as he follows a boundary with a single as he finds the gap on this occassion.

Back of a length, on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran looks for the pull but swings early and gets it spliced back to the bowler.

Good length, on top of off, Ibrahim Zadran defends this off his back foot.

Blessing bowls it on that 6-8 m length, around off, Zadran punches this through the covers region and takes two runs here. 

WIDE! Full and way too wide down the leg side. Ibrahim Zadran looks for a flick but misses. Wide given.

Brad bowls a length delivery, on off, Zadran punches this back to the bowler. 

On a length, around middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran gets right on top of the bounce and plays a lovely looking straight drive but Evans fields it low to his left.

Full and on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran flicks this from the inner portion of his bat to mid-wicket for no run.

 FOUR! Lovely balance and timing behind this stroke. Pitched-up delivery, on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran presents a full face of the bat and punches it crisply to the left of the mid on fielder for a boundary. 

Brad bowls it on a back of a length, around the pads, Ibrahim Zadran nudges it through the gap at mid-wicket and collects a couple of runs.

A touch full, on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran tucks this to the right of mid on. Zadran was keen on a run but Rahmanullah Gurbaz denies it. 

Blessing Muzarabani starts from over the stumps, bowls it full and on middle and off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets behind the line of the ball and punches this to mid on for a dot. 

Good length, on middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz punches this down to mid on for another dot.

Bends his back a bit, bowls it on a back of a length, around off. Gurbaz punches this to point for no run.

 FOUR! That has been hammered away in the gap for the first runs on the board. Short and around off, wide fo off, Gurbaz accepts the width on offer and smashes it through the gap between extra cover and point for a boundary. 

Blessing Muzarabani bowls it short again but this time a lot closer to the stumps, Gurbaz chops this off the under-edge to short leg and takes a quick single.

Good length, around off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes this in the gap to open his account with a run. 6 came off the first over.