Nine to win. Five wickets in hand. Nearly half the allotted overs to be bowled. Game's in the bag, right?
Afghanistan lose 5-5 in nightmare collapse
Afghanistan have crumbled in sensational fashion in the third one-day international against Zimbabwe, losing 5-5 in a stunning collapse to hand the hosts a three-run win in Harare.
The result means Zimbabwe keep their hopes in the five-match series alive, with the ledger now sitting 2-1 in Afghanistan’s favour.
Cruising at 5-121 and needing just nine runs from 23.3 overs to seal the series, Afghanistan fell in a heap as seamer Chris Mpofu (3-24) and left-arm spinner Sean Williams (3-15) ran riot.
Mpofu started the panic when he had Samiullah Shenwari (29) and Najibullah Zadran (first-ball duck) caught behind in successive balls.
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The 31-year-old quick struck again in his next over after Williams had chimed in with the scalp of Mohammad Nabi, before Mpofu took the final wicket to complete an unlikely victory.
Earlier, Tarisai Musakanda (60) and Malcolm Waller (36 not out) were two of only three Zimbabwe batsmen to reach double-figures as the home side were skittled for 129 in 32.4 overs.
Afghan seamer Gulbadin Naib (4-27) did best with the ball while Asghar Stanikzai top-scored for the tourists with 31.
The fourth ODI is on Friday and the final match on Sunday, both at the Harare Sports Club.