Wisden
Tour review

Zimbabwe v Afghanistan, 2015-16

Liam Brickhill


The Afghanistan players pose with the trophy, Zimbabwe v Afghanistan, 5th ODI, Bulawayo, October 24, 2015
Afghanistan undo an experienced Zimbabwe outfit in the ODIs © AFP
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Series/Tournaments: Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe

One-day internationals (5): Zimbabwe 2, Afghanistan 3
Twenty20 internationals (2): Zimbabwe 0, Afghanistan 2

Zimbabwe's busy season concluded with a tour by Afghanistan, the fifth visitors since July. On slow, low pitches which were more Middle East than Matabeleland, the Afghans outdid Zimbabwe with their stroke-playing top order, nagging spinners and reverse-savvy seamers, and secured a historic victory in the 50-over matches - the first time an Associate side had beaten a Full Member in a bilateral series. For good measure, Afghanistan then won both Twenty20 games.

Their top three led the way, with Mohammad Nabi enjoying a move up to No. 3, despite a golden duck at No. 5 in the first match. In his first outing up the order he contributed a maiden century, and in all made 233 runs, winning the Man of the Series award. Backing him up was a steady bowling attack, particularly Dawlat Zadran, who filled the role of senior man with aplomb, providing control with the new ball and reverse swing at good pace with the old. Afghanistan also unearthed a 17-year-old leg-spinner of great promise in Rashid Khan. The icing on the cake came when Inzamam-ul-Haq, their distinguished new coach, agreed a two-year contract.

For Zimbabwe, just about the only players to enjoy the conditions were their own spinners: the two slow left-armers, Tendai Chisoro and Wellington Masakadza, collected 19 wickets in the 50-over matches at less than 20 apiece. It was a particularly fine start for Chisoro, who until recently had been a quick bowler. The batting, though, struggled for fluency after the first game, which Zimbabwe won easily. As so often, they were unsettled by off-field wrangling. Rumours about the former captain Alistair Campbell's frustration at his diminishing role as managing director for cricket were borne out when he resigned after the tour, while Andy Waller was sacked as batting coach.

Match reports for

Tour Match: Zimbabwe Chairman's XI v Afghanistan at Bulawayo, Oct 8, 2015
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Tour Match: Zimbabwe Chairman's XI v Afghanistan at Bulawayo, Oct 10, 2015
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Tour Match: Zimbabwe Chairman's XI v Afghanistan at Bulawayo, Oct 12, 2015
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1st ODI: Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Bulawayo, Oct 16, 2015
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2nd ODI: Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Bulawayo, Oct 18, 2015
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3rd ODI: Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Bulawayo, Oct 20, 2015
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4th ODI: Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Bulawayo, Oct 22, 2015
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5th ODI: Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Bulawayo, Oct 24, 2015
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1st T20I: Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Bulawayo, Oct 26, 2015
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2nd T20I: Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Bulawayo, Oct 28, 2015
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