Noor Ahmad's five-for crushes Zimbabwe as Afghanistan complete clean sweep

Afghanistan bowler Noor Ahmad (File photo)

Afghanistan completed a 3-0 sweep of Zimbabwe in the T20I series after beating them by seven wickets in the third and final match in Sharjah on Sunday. Noor Ahmad led the bowling effort with his maiden five-wicket haul, taking 5/13 in 3.3 overs as Zimbabwe were bowled out for just 79 in under 15 overs.Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran had opted to bowl, hoping to test his team's chasing ability. However, Noor's spell left them with a target of only 80, which they reached in 8.1 overs, with seven wickets to spare.

The victory was Afghanistan's second-biggest T20I win in terms of balls remaining.Afghanistan made an early impact after choosing to bowl. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai dismissed openers Innocent Kaia and Brian Bennett in successive overs, before Abdullah Tarakhail removed Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza to leave the visitors struggling at 13/3 in the fourth over.Ryan Burl tried to steady the innings with 30 runs but was dismissed leg before wicket by Abdollah Ahmadzai. Noor then took charge, picking up five wickets as Zimbabwe's middle and lower order failed to put up a fight. The visitors were bowled out for 79.

Afghanistan started the chase at a brisk pace, with Mohammad Akram scoring 14 off five balls before falling to Blessing Muzarabani. Sediqullah Atal added 20 off 14 deliveries but was dismissed by Ernest Masuku, who then removed Noor ul Rahman to give Zimbabwe a brief chance of a comeback.

However, Zadran remained unbeaten on 25 while Omarzai scored 18 not out as the pair guided Afghanistan to victory.Afghanistan had already secured the series after winning the first two matches. In the second T20I, Omarzai scored 116 off 50 balls to help his team beat Zimbabwe by 19 runs. Raza's 106 off 56 deliveries was not enough to take Zimbabwe across the line.Rashid Khan had led Afghanistan to a 37-run win in the series opener with an all-round performance.The two teams will now turn their attention to the longer format, with a two-match Test series scheduled to begin on November 5.