KABUL (SW): Afghanistan lost its hard-earned 10th slot on the International Cricket Council (ICC) ranking following a defeat against Zimbabwe in Sharjah on Monday.
In this fourth match of the 5 One Day International (ODI) series, Afghanistan had the upper hand in the first two. It however, lost the following two in a miserable way. In the 4th ODI last evening, Zimbabwe bat first and piled an impressive total of 264 runs. Afghan batsmen only managed to score 161 in reply.
The toss was won by Zimbabwe who chose to bat first. With half-centuries from openers Peter Moor (52) and Chamu Chibhabha (53), Zimbabwe went off a flying start. Afghanistan's spinners provided the much needed break-through later in the innings, with leg-spinner Rashid Khan claiming three wickets. Fast bowler Dawlat Zadran also took three.
Afghanistan’s batting failed to prove depth and class as Chibhaba once again proved lethal with ball by sending four Afghan batsmen to the pavilion. For the hosts, once again wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Shahzad remained the top scorer with 45 runs.
Afghanistan would take on Zimbabwe for the decisive 5th match of the series on Wednesday January 06.
It is worth noticing that Zimbabwe once lost the 10th slot to Ireland as well but it regained if with improved performance. Afghanistan, however, could only sit on this position for two days.
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