A second-wicket 129-run partnership between the in-form Rahmat Shah and Javed Ahmedi set Afghanistan's innings up nicely before a middle-order collapse ensued. Some late-order surge from No. 9 batsman Rashid Khan, however, helped them recover and post 241 for 9 in the final ODI against Zimbabwe on Monday (February 19).
Ahmedi-Rahmat stand, Rashid blitz power Afghanistan to 241
![Rashid Khan slammed 43 off 29 to lift Afghanistan after a middle-order collapse. Rashid Khan slammed 43 off 29 to lift Afghanistan after a middle-order collapse.](/a/img/v1/595x396/i1/c137108/rashid-khan-slammed-43-off-29.jpg)
With the series already in their bag, Afghanistan decided to bat first in the dead rubber and were immediately pegged back as previous fixture hero Mohammad Shahzad was consumed for a 14-ball 2. Opener Ahmedi and Rahmat forged a superb stand together, which lasted 22.4 overs, during the course of which both scored respective half-centuries.
After a long period of lull, when Zimbabwean bowlers' attempts to claim a were repeatedly thwarted by the duo, Sikandar Raza broke through. He had Rahmat with a tossed up delivery, which the batsman attempted to heave over long-off but couldn't clear Craig Ervine who was deployed in the deep. Just three overs later Ahmedi walked back for 76 after he failed to ground his bat while attempting a single. Tendai Chisoro at midwicket struck with a direct hit, and Ahmedi's bat wasn't grounded.
The exit of both the set batsmen gave Zimbabwe renewed sense of vigour as they ripped through a feeble middle-order, reducing Afghanistan from 148 for 3 in the 32nd over at Ahmedi's exit to 177 for 7 in the 43rd. Four batsmen following the big stand returned with single-digit scores, leaving Afghanistan with the prospect of finishing with a sub-200 total.
Rashid Khan, however, had other ideas as he put together a 51-run partnership with Sharafuddin Ashraf to steer his side closer to the 250-run mark. Rashid's enterprising cricket fetched him a 29-ball 43 that included three fours and three sixes, while Ashraf scored a 30-ball 21.
Brief Scores: Afghanistan 241/9 in 50 overs (Javed Ahmedi 76, Rahmat Shah 59; Sikandar Raza 2-41, Tendai Chatara 2-42) vs Zimbabwe
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