Rashid, Nabi help Afghanistan thrash Zimbabwe

Rahmat Shah has hit 94 and Mohammad Nabi has taken four wickets as Afghanistan beat hosts Zimbabwe by 60 runs in the first of three one-day internationals.

Afghanistan haven't lost an ODI series against the Zimbabweans in five contests since their first meeting in 2014, and underlined that dominance at Harare Sports Club, racking up 5-276 before bowling out the hosts for 216.

Rahmat and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi were cautious at the start of their partnership, then lashed out after reaching their half-centuries, sharing a 181-run third-wicket partnership.

Rahmat dominated pace and spin and was comfortable at the crease while cracking seven fours and three sixes from 120 balls in his player-of-the-match effort.

Shahidi scored 88 from 104, which included 13 boundaries.

Image Id: 5BB2A5ABECE94018BD1DD6AB8435C24B Image Caption: Rahmat Shah top scored for Afghanistan with 94 // AFP

Both fell to Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani, who took 4-52 on his return to international cricket after a stint as a net bowler for Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League.

Adelaide Strikers superstar Rashid Khan smashed 39 from just 17 balls as Afghanistan scored 101 runs in the last 10 overs of their innings.

In pursuit, Zimbabwe were unable to form meaningful partnerships, bowled out 60 runs short on the last ball of the match.

Image Id: 6DA77E4A2F6E46AFBFD0C29B0EE24387 Image Caption: Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi on his way to 88 // AFP

Off-spinner Nabi was the chief destroyer with 4-34 as Zimbabwe failed to sustain a late fight led by allrounder Sikandar Raza, who was out leg before to Rashid (2-39) on 67.

Zimbabwe are set to launch Australia's summer of cricket in late August with a three-match ODI series in Townsville.

2022-23 Australian home international schedule
(all times local)

Men's Dettol ODI Series v Zimbabwe

Sunday Aug 28: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Wednesday Aug 31: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Saturday Sep 3: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Men's Dettol ODI Series v New Zealand

Tuesday, Sep 6: Cazaly Stadium, Cairns, 2:20pm

Thursday, Sep 8: Cazaly Stadium, Cairns, 2:20pm

Sunday Sep 11: Cazaly Stadium, Cairns, 2:20pm

Men's Dettol T20I Series v West Indies

Wednesday Oct 5: Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast, 6:10pm

Friday Oct 7: Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast, 6:10pm

Men's Dettol T20I Series v England

Sunday Oct 9: The Gabba, 5:40pm

Wednesday Oct 12: Manuka Oval, Canberra 6:40pm

Friday Oct 14: Manuka Oval, Canberra 6:40pm

ICC Men's T20 World Cup

Oct 16-21: Group stage

Oct 22-Nov 6: Super 12 stage

Wed-Thurs Nov 9-10: Semi-finals, SCG & Adelaide Oval

Sunday Nov 13: final, MCG, 7pm

Men's Dettol ODI Series v England

Thursday Nov 17: Adelaide Oval, 1:50pm

Saturday Nov 19: SCG, 2:20pm

Tuesday Nov 22: MCG, 2:20pm

Men's Vodafone Test Series v West Indies

Nov 30 – Dec 4: First Test, Perth Stadium, 10:20am

Dec 8-12: Second Test, Adelaide Oval, 2:30pm

Men's Vodafone Test Series v South Africa

Dec 17-21: First Test, the Gabba, 10:20am

Dec 26-30: Second Test, MCG, 10:30am

Jan 4-8: Third Test, SCG, 10:30am

Men's Dettol ODI Series v South Africa

*Dates subject to confirmation

Thursday Jan 12: Blundstone Arena, Hobart, 1:30pm

Saturday Jan 14: SCG, 12:40pm

Tuesday Jan 17: Perth Stadium, 12:40pm

Women's CommBank ODI Series v Pakistan

Monday Jan 16: Allan Border Field, Brisbane 10:05am

Wednesday Jan 18: Allan Border Field, Brisbane 10:05am

Saturday Jan 21: North Sydney Oval, 10:05am

Women's CommBank T20I Series v Pakistan

Tuesday Jan 24: North Sydney Oval, 1:45pm

Friday Jan 27: Manuka Oval, Canberra, 7:05pm

Sunday Jan 29: Manuka Oval, Canberra, 1:45pm