Afghanistan 170-3 (34.3 overs): Zadran 70, Rahmat 43; Nyamhuri 2-30

Zimbabwe 169 all out (43.3 overs): Raza 68; Rashid 3/41

Afghanistan won by seven wickets

Zimbabwe’s familiar batting problems returned in the final of the UAE ODI Tri-Series, as Afghanistan won by seven wickets at the Sheikh Zayed Oval to take the trophy.

Zimbabwe chose to bat but were again unable to get through the first powerplay unscathed. Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brian Bennett and Tafadzwa Tsiga were gone with only 26 on the board, and Brendan Taylor followed at 55-4. Wickets in the opening 10 overs have now become a pattern for the Chevrons.

Captain Sikandar Raza repaired the innings with a fighting 68 from 83 balls, adding 60 with Ryan Burl, who made 31. But once Burl fell at 115-5, the middle order folded, with Rashid Khan taking 3/41 and Mohammad Nabi 2/25. Blessing Muzarabani’s unbeaten 17 helped Zimbabwe add 32 for the last wicket before they were all out for 169 in 43.3 overs.

The target was always going to be a stiff ask. Newman Nyamhuri gave Zimbabwe brief hope by removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 36 and Sediqullah Atal, and Wessly Madhevere dismissed captain Rahmat Shah for 43.

But Ibrahim Zadran, unbeaten on 70, steered Afghanistan home with 15.3 overs to spare.

Zimbabwe now have plenty to work on at the top of the order.

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