Rashid Khan leads Afghanistan to series sweep

Afghanistan have made light work of Zimbabwe for the third-successive ODI, completing the clean sweep with a four-wicket win in Harare. 

The win puts Afghanistan in a strong position to automatically qualify for next year's ODI World Cup, to take place in October 2023. 

Rashid Khan starred with the ball, taking 3-31, and he was well supported by Mohammad Nabi (2-21 off eight overs) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (1-23 off 10). 

After being sent in, the hosts were in serious trouble early when they fell to 4-42 in the 16th other.

Image Id: 8B9F2C73FA79434489C926453880904A Image Caption: Afghanistan celebrate their 3-0 series win // ZC

Experienced pair Sikandar Raza (38) and Regis Chakabva (15) looked to steady the ship, but Afghanistan's multi-pronged spin attack was too much to handle. 

Defending only 135, Zimbabwe had their tails up early when a pair of wickets to Blessing Muzarabani reduced Afghanistan to 3-39. 

But captain Hasmatullah Shahidi (38) and Mohammad Nabi (34no) ensured there was no reason to panic. 

Following the three-nil series sweep, Afghanistan have drawn closer to direct qualification for next year's World Cup in India, moving into second spot in the ICC Super League.

The top seven teams (plus hosts India) automatically qualify, while the bottom five teams will play off for the two remaining spots in the Qualifier tournament. 

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"It would be a huge tournament for us to play in 2023, for the team and for me personally," player of the series Rahmat Shah told reporters.

"I have lots of plans to play good cricket in the World Cup with a positive mind."

Australia play Zimbabwe on Australian shores for the first time in 19 years when the two sides meet in Townsville in August-September this year. 

The three scheduled ODIs will be part of the ICC Super League and therefore will impact World Cup qualification as well. 

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Zimbabwe will now turn their attention to the shortest format and qualifying for October's T20 World Cup in Australia. 

They face off against Afghanistan in a three-match T20 series starting from Saturday, before they host the World Cup Global Qualifier B in July. 

Zimbabwe, Hong Kong, Jersey, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Uganda will play off for the remaining two spots at the showpiece tournament, after Ireland and the United Arab Emirates secured qualification at Global Qualifier A in February. 

Men's T20 World Cup 2022

First round

Group A: Sri Lanka, Namibia, UAE, a qualifier

Group B: West Indies, Scotland, Ireland, a qualifier

Super 12 stage

Group 1: Australia, Afghanistan, England, New Zealand, A1, B2

Group 2: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, South Africa, B1, A2

Australia's T20 World Cup 2022 fixtures

Oct 22: v New Zealand, SCG, 6pm AEDT

Oct 25: v 1A, Optus Stadium, 10pm AEDT

Oct 28: v England, MCG, 7pm AEDT

Oct 31: v 2B, Gabba, 7pm AEDT

Nov 4: v Afghanistan, Adelaide Oval, 7pm AEDT

Semi-finals

Nov 9: SCG, 7pm AEDT

Nov 10: Adelaide Oval, 7pm AEDT

Final

Nov 13: MCG, 7pm AEDT