Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq bowled one of the most bizarre overs by any bowler during the first T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare on Wednesday, December 11. Chasing a target of 145 runs, Zimbabwe were 88/2 after the end of 14 overs before Naveen came to bowl the 15th over. However, the right-arm pacer seemed to lose his rhythm as he ended up bowling 13 balls in a single over.
Naveen-ul-Haq started the over with a wide ball, before he ended up bowling a no-ball on second delivery. After that, he ended up bowling four consecutive wide balls before Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza smashed him for a boundary on a free hit. However, Naveen finally dismissed Raza on third delivery, which technically took nine balls of the over. In the next three deliveries, Naveen again bowled a wide ball and finally completed his long over after bowling 13 balls. The fast bowler conceded 19 runs in an over and also ended up taking one scalp.
Zimbabwe defeat Afghanistan in T20I after five years
Zimbabwe took a lead of 1-0 in a three-match T20I series with a thrilling last ball win in the first T20I against Afghanistan. With this, Zimbabwe also registered their second win against Afghanistan after five years. They last defeated Afghanistan in Chittagong on September 20, 2019. Batting first, Afghanistan posted 144/6 with Karim Janat top scoring with 54*(49), while Mohammad Nabi also 44(27) runs. Richard Ngarava took three wickets with the balls.
Chasing a winning target, Zimbabwe got a steady start as Brian Bennett top scored with a run-a-ball 49 runs. Zimbabwe kept losing wickets but also maintained the required run rate as they chased the winning total on the last ball with four wickets in hand. Naveen-ul-Haq registered figures of 3/33.
