The first T20I between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan turned out to be a mouthwatering thriller at the Harare Sports Club. Zimbabwe managed to snatch a win on the final ball of the match scripting their maiden T20I win against Afghanistan. The game went all the way down to the wire and Musekiwa held his nerve to hit the winning runs for his side. 

Following the defeat, Naveen-ul-Haq's poor performance with the ball came under the scanner. The speedster was all over the place during the 15th over of the run chase and took as many as 13 balls to complete the over which comprised one no-ball and four back-to-back wide deliveries.

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A peek into Naveen's disastrous show in the first T20I

Naveen ul-Haq's expensive 13-ball over had a decisive role to play in Zimbabwe's emphatic 4-wicket win yesterday. Although Naveen concluded his spell with figures of 3-33 which included one maiden over, the Afghani speedster lost the plot during the 15th over. The pressure was released and that over brought down the equation to a little over a run-a-ball for Zimbabwe. 

Can you count how many balls did he bowl in that over? Because we lost count!😵‍💫

Afghanistan's Naveen-Ul-Haq bowled a lengthy 14th over which proved to be decisive!🫣#ZIMvAFGonFanCode pic.twitter.com/MdeAWHJlEg

— FanCode (@FanCode) December 11, 2024

The over started with a wide to Bennett followed by a single. The next delivery was a no-ball to Raza which the batter dispatched to the boundary. However, the incoming free-hit ball lasted four balls as Naveen conceded four consecutive wides on the trot. He eventually landed the next ball within the wide tramline but was punished by Raza with a boundary. 

But in the third legitimate ball, Raza was removed which brought Burl to the crease. Burl and Bennett took singles in the next two deliveries. Naveen bowled another wide in that over before concluding it with a single. 

Naveen fails to contain in the death overs

After a horror show during the 15th over, Naveen was given yet another go from his skipper to set things right. But the 24-year-old failed to redeem himself in the crunch situation. With 21 needed in the final two overs, the game was very much tilted in Afghanistan's favor. Although he did not concede a single extra, Naveen still managed to leave 10 runs thus bringing the equation down to 11 in the final over. Azmatullah was entrusted with the final over but Musekiwa showcased nerves of steel to score all the remaining 11 runs to propel the Cheverons to their first win against Afghanistan in the shortest format.