Batsman Sikandar Raza upstaged fellow centurion Usman Ghani, as Zimbabwe welcomed a comfortable eight-wicket win - and vital two-nil series lead - over Afghanistan in Sunday's second ODI at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe emerged six-wicket victors over Afghanistan in the first ODI in Bulawayo on Friday, reaching the 224 required with 28 balls to spare thanks to an all-round top-order effort.
Zimbabwe and Afghanistan have never met in international cricket - and this month's maiden ODI series will bring plenty of opportunity to increase the distance from Ireland and gain ground on Bangladesh.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced this week the appointment of Andy Moles as a batting coach for the National Team in its preparation for the World Cup 2015.
Chief executive David Richardson has countered suggestion that the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption and security unit is proving ineffective.
The ICC have appointed former Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore will help Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and UAE prepare for cricket's marquee 50-over event, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
A telling quartet of half-centuries afforded Afghanistan a comfortable 70-run triumph over the United Arab Emirates in Friday's high-scoring Asian Cricket Council Premier League fixture at the Kinrara Academy Oval in Kuala Lumpur.
Nepal won a thrilling encounter against Afghanistan in Chittagong on Thursday, emerging victorious by nine runs and defending the 141 they posted thanks to some brilliant fielding and death bowling.
Bangladesh got the World Twenty20 off to a flying, if slightly niggly, start on Sunday as they beat Afghanistan by nine wickets in their first qualifier, with Shakib-al-Hasan the star with the ball.
The Asia Cup in Bangladesh actually turned out to be a rather interesting two weeks, with four Test-playing sides and Afghanistan providing oodles of entertainment, some surprises, and some exciting individual efforts.
India made light work of their Asia Cup fixture against Afghanistan on Wednesday, winning by eight wickets and with tons of time to spare as they only needed 160 runs for victory.
Sri Lanka recorded 253 for six in their Asia Cup match against Afghanistan, a middling batting effort, but managed to defend that as they won by 129 runs and bowled the crowd favourites out for 124 to reach the final.
Afghanistan recorded a shock win over Bangladesh in the Asia Cup in Fatullah on Saturday, winning by 32 runs after a superb all-round effort with bat and ball.
Ireland need just five more wickets to lift their fourth ICC Intercontinental Cup and achieve a historic treble after reducing Afghanistan to 136/5 on the third day of the first-class final in Dubai.
Ed Joyce scored an unbeaten half-century as Ireland's cricketers staged a determined comeback on the second day of their Intercontinental Cup Final against Afghanistan in Dubai.
Ireland's quest to become the first team to win three ICC tournaments in a calendar year hit a stumbling block on the opening day of their Intercontinental Cup final against Afghanistan as they were bowled out for just 187 in Dubai.
The cool, calm and collection of captain Mohammad Hafeez ensured Pakistan avoided defeat in Sunday's one-off Twenty20 International against Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
On the face of it, Ireland and Afghanistan don't have too much in common. But for all the cultural, religious and economic diversities, their cricketing histories are remarkably comparable.
Are Ireland the biggest of the small fries? Can Scotland return to the top of the table? Do the Dutch have the ability to go all the way? Ryan Bailey's preview has the answers.
