Youngster Ibrahim Zadran's maiden ODI Hundred propels Afghanistan to a commanding 2-0 lead

Afghanistan won comfortably taking a 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. Ibrahim Zadran's unbeaten 120* helps Afghanistan to win the second ODI by 8 wickets. 

After winning the toss, Afghanistan Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi opted to bowl. Afghanistan made an early breakthrough as Fazalhaq caught Regis Chakabva lbw on the second ball of the match. In next 12 overs, Innocent Kaia (63) and Craig Ervine (32) built a 47-run partnership until Fareed interrupted the pair at a crucial moment, while Rashid sent out Wesley Madhevere in the 20th over. Teaming up at 84/3, Innocent Kaia and Sikandar Raza contributed 67 runs for the fourth-wicket partnership that avoided a collapse, Kaia's got his maiden ODI fifty. 

Faheed struck twice in the 32nd and 34th overs to collapse the promising stand, while Nabi dismissed Sikandar Raza from reaching his half-century by 10 runs. Ryan Burl's brilliant innings help him to score his third ODI fifty. On this pitch, 228 is a decent total. 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran opened the chase for Afghanistan. Blessing Muzarabani struck early, but Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah calmed their nerves with a match-winning 195-run second-wicket partnership.

The pitch performed admirably in the second inning, and 228 was somewhat 30-40 runs short of a challenging total. They did generate a few half-chances, but none were converted into wickets for the hosts, who now face an uphill battle to qualify for the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup automatically. Zadran turned his maiden half-century into a maiden Century and will be looking to improve from here on for upcoming tours. Rahmat Shah called for consistensy in his batting, narrowly missed out his 6th ODI Hundred.