Noor Ahmad Spins Afghanistan to a 3-0 T20I Sweep of Zimbabwe

Afghanistan wrapped up a clean sweep of their three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe in Sharjah on Monday, winning the final game by seven wickets after bowling the visitors out for just 79. Left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad did the damage, running through Zimbabwe's middle and lower order as the innings folded in under 15 overs.

The chase was never in doubt. Ibrahim Zadran finished unbeaten on 25 and Azmatullah Omarzai was 18 not out as Afghanistan strolled home with wickets and overs to spare, sealing a series they had already won with two games to spare.

The sweep caps a memorable week for Afghan cricket. Rashid Khan had set the tone in the opener with a 37-run win, before Omarzai's remarkable 116 off 50 balls edged a 19-run thriller in the second match — even as Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza answered with 106 off 56. Attention now turns to a two-match Test series between the sides starting on November 5.

Noor's night

Noor Ahmad's spell was the story of the decider. Once Zimbabwe's top order had been removed, he kept attacking through the middle overs, and the wickets tumbled in a cluster that left the visitors with no route back into the game.

What comes next

Both teams stay in Sharjah for the red-ball leg. Zimbabwe will need a swift reset with the bat after being dismissed so cheaply, while Afghanistan will carry real momentum into the Tests.

Source: The News Mill / ESPNcricinfo