1st ODI: Afghanistan stun Zimbabwe by 49 runs in low-scoring game

Afghani pacer Amir Hamza picked a wicket off the second ball of the second innings and went on to claim three more wickets.

New Delhi: Afghanistan cricket team created yet another upset as they defended the fifth-lowest One-Day International (ODI) score in history, playing against Zimbabwe at Sharjah in the first of the five-match series.

Batting first, the Asghar Stanikzai-led side was bowled out for just 131 runs, courtesy a five-wicket haul from Graeme Cremer.

Opener Noor Ali Zadran top scored in the first innings with a 63-run knock at the top of the order.

The paltry total should have been a cakewalk for Elton Chigumbura & Co but the Afghani bowlers bowled their heart out and skittled Zimbabwe for just 81 runs. How bad was Zimbabwe's performance was evident from the fact that skipper Chigumbura's 28 was their innings highest individual score.

Pacer Amir Hamza picked a wicket off the second ball of the innings and went on to claim three more wickets. Mirwais Ashraf and Mohammad Nabi picked two and three wickets respectively.

Slowly but steadily, Afghanistan have been impressing the cricket fans and this win against Zimbabwe will only earn them more praise from the cricket fraternity.