Afghanistan Times
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In a historic moment, Afghanistan have for the first time managed to break into the top 10 of the International Cricket Council’s ODI Rankings since they began playing this format.
Afghanistan rose two places and jumped to best-ever 10th place after their victory over Zimbabwe in the first of the five-match ODI series on Friday.
ALSO SEE Afghanistan won 1st ODI against Zimbabwe
The latest rankings by the ICC was released after the first ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, and it features Afghanistan one place above Ireland who are at the 11th spot followed by Zimbabwe on 12th.
On Friday, Afghanistan bundled out Zimbabwe for a paltry 82 to win the first ODI by 49 runs in Sharjah. Afghanistan were dismissed for just 131 with more than 10 overs to spare with opener Noor Ali Zadran top scoring with 63.
ALSO SEE Ireland on 11th spot in rankings
However, Zimbabwe lost their last seven wickets for just 35 runs to be bowled out in the 31st over, which gave the Afghans a sweet victory.
Afghanistan off-spinner Amir Hamza was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 17.
The win followed Afghanistan’s 3-2 victory in the ODI series in Zimbabwe in October. It was the first time that a non-Test playing team had beaten a Test nation in an ODI series. (ibnlive.com)
