<a href="https://cricket.international/afghanistan-clinch-maiden-hong-kong-sixes-title-with-four-wicket-win-over-australia/” title=”Afghanistan clinch maiden Hong Kong Sixes title with four-wicket win over Australia”>Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan exchanged heated words with Zimbabwe batter Ryan Burl during the third T20I at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday, November 1. Rashid confronted Burl after an LBW appeal, but he later eased the tension by blowing a flying kiss.
Afghanistan, led by Ibrahim Zadran, chased down the target of 80 in just 49 balls to secure a seven-wicket victory and complete a 3-0 series whitewash. The win marked the Afghan team’s 22nd in 24 T20Is and their second-best victory in the shorter format in terms of balls remaining.
Rashid Khan and Ryan Burl Clash After Controversial LBW Decision
Rashid Khan appealed for LBW against Ryan Burl as the batter attempted a reverse sweep. The ball struck him in line with the stumps, but the on-field umpire ruled it not out.
The decision frustrated Rashid Khan, particularly as the series was being played without the Decision Review System (DRS). Three deliveries later, the leg-spinner and Burl exchanged heated words before facing off in the middle of the pitch.
Umpire Ahmad Shah Pakteen intervened and separated the two players. However, the argument continued after the over, forcing the other on-field umpire, Farooq Khan, to step in and pull them apart again.
Burl had earlier provided Zimbabwe with some resistance after the visitors lost two wickets for eight runs. He scored 30 off 29 balls, including five boundaries, while Wessly Madhevere was the next-highest scorer with 10.
Rashid Khan Blows Ryan Burl a Flying Kiss After Dismissal
The confrontation took a lighter turn when Rashid Khan blew Burl a flying kiss while the Zimbabwean batter was sitting in the dugout. The Afghanistan captain’s gesture quickly went viral, with fans reacting on social media.
Burl was dismissed in the very next over after the exchange. Abdullah Ahmadzai trapped him LBW, although replays appeared to show that the delivery was sliding down the leg side, with two-and-a-half stumps visible at the point of impact.
Zimbabwe struggled throughout their innings. Afghanistan’s fast bowlers made an early impact on a Sharjah surface that offered movement with the new ball. Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed Innocent Kaia in the first over, while Omarzai removed Brian Bennett in the following over to leave Zimbabwe at 8/2.
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Sikandar Raza attempted to counterattack but miscued a shot against debutant Abdullah Tarakhail and was caught at mid-off. Tarakhail claimed his maiden international wicket with his second delivery.
Noor Ahmad Claims Maiden Five-Wicket Haul as Afghanistan Complete Whitewash
Noor Ahmad proved too difficult for Zimbabwe to handle, taking his maiden five-wicket haul with figures of 5/13 in 3.3 overs. Three of his wickets came within four deliveries during the 11th over as the visitors struggled to read his variations.
The spinner claimed the final two wickets in his next two overs as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 79 in 14.3 overs, their second-lowest total in T20Is. Noor now has nine wickets against Zimbabwe at an average of 5.66. His previous best figures of 4/10 also came against them in Harare in 2022.
Afghanistan had lost early wickets during the powerplay in the first two matches and wanted a stronger start in the final T20I. Mohammad Akram, promoted to open in Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s absence, struck three consecutive boundaries before falling in the opening over.
Zimbabwe picked up two more wickets in the fifth over through Ernest Masuku, but Sediqullah Atal’s boundary-filled innings had already brought Afghanistan close to the target. Omarzai then struck Vincent Masekesa for a huge six to complete the chase in 49 balls.
Source: cricketaddictor.com
