ERNEST Masuku gave Zimbabwe something to take from a difficult evening in Sharjah, claiming two wickets as Afghanistan completed a 3-0 T20I series sweep with a seven-wicket win in the final match on Sunday.

Zimbabwe were bowled out for 79 in 14.3 overs after being put in to bat, with Afghanistan wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad taking 5/13. Afghanistan reached 81/3 in just 8.1 overs, but Masuku’s double strike briefly disrupted their chase.

Ryan Burl top-scored for Zimbabwe with 30 from 29 balls, providing the innings’ main resistance after the visitors lost three wickets inside the opening two overs.

Innocent Kaia edged Fazalhaq Farooqi behind for five, Brian Bennett fell for two and captain Sikandar Raza, coming off a record-breaking century in the previous match, was dismissed for the same score. Zimbabwe were 13/3 and in need of a partnership.

Burl and Wessly Madhevere supplied one, adding 43 runs to give the innings some shape. Burl struck five boundaries, while Madhevere made 10 before Noor broke the stand by trapping Burl lbw.

The left-arm wrist-spinner then tore through the lower order, taking three wickets in four deliveries. Madhevere was stumped by a googly, Tafadzwa Tsiga edged to slip and Tadiwanashe Marumani was caught at long-off. Newman Nyamhuri made nine before Noor bowled him, and the bowler completed his five-wicket haul by trapping Ernest Masuku lbw for six.

Zimbabwe lost their final seven wickets in 29 deliveries, leaving the bowlers with little to defend.

Afghanistan’s reply began at a brisk pace, with Mohammad Akram hitting three fours in a five-ball 14 before Blessing Muzarabani had him caught at mid-off.

Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran moved the score to 44 before Masuku struck twice in the fifth over. Atal was caught by Madhevere for 20 off 14 balls, and Noor ul Rahman was trapped lbw two deliveries later without scoring.

The wickets briefly slowed Afghanistan, but Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai quickly restored control. Zadran finished unbeaten on 25, while Omarzai made 18 not out and sealed the win with a six off Vincent Masekesa.

Masuku ended with 2/21 from two overs, while Muzarabani took 1/31.

The series ended in a 3-0 defeat for Zimbabwe, but Burl’s resistance and Masuku’s ability to strike during the chase offered two individual performances to build on. Zimbabwe will need greater support for their top order and more sustained pressure with the ball as they look to close the gap on Afghanistan.

Result: Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets.
Zimbabwe: 79 all out in 14.3 overs.
Afghanistan: 81/3 in 8.1 overs.
Best bowling: Noor Ahmad 5/13; Ernest Masuku 2/21.