AFG VS ZIM - 5th ODI, Afghanistan v Zimbabwe in UAE, 2018

The dress rehearsal is done. This series was played so that the two teams can sort out their playing XIs for the World Cup qualifiers starting next month. Afghanistan have all bases covered - even their fringe players made an impact in the series. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, need to go back to the drawing boards to work out their spin issues. Luckily for them, the qualifiers are at home and that should boost their chances. That's it from us. Until next time, take care and goodbye!

Asghar Stankizai, winning captain - It (the win) is very important for us as we have the World Cup qualifiers next. We will go in that tournament with momentum. This tournament has given us a lot of confidence and we are looking forward to the qualifiers. Our team management is working really hard with us and that is the reason our team performance have improved immensely in the past 2-3 months.

Rashid Khan, Man of the Series - I had a target in mind that I have to bowl well in the series and I am pleased that I did well. My job was to finish off well (with the bat), my team wanted me and I hit my shots in the end overs. I try my best and try to give 100% every time I step up on the field.

Sharafuddin Ashraf, Man of the Match - It was a really important series, it has been a tremendous effort by the boys. The ball was gripping so I wanted to make full use of it. I came in the team after 4 years, so it was really important for me to perform. Captain had given me confidence and I tried my best.

Graeme Cremer, losing captain - Yes at one stage they were looking at 300+ but we came back strongly in the middle overs. Rashid Khan played a handy innings in the end. At the start we thought 220, 240 was chaseable. All in all a good effort in the field. We wanted a good start but unfortunately we lost couple of wickets in the powerplay and it pegged us back. Their spinners again bowled really well and we had no answers to it.

20:31 Local Time, 16:31 GMT, 22:01 IST: Zimbabwe have been once again blown away by spin. The four Afghanistan spinners shared 8 wickets between them. The African nation tried a new opening pair (Masakadza and Musakanda) - did not work. Taylor and Ervine steadied the sinking ship, but Sharafuddin Ashraf removed the former and the in-form Raza in consecutive overs. Zimbabwe's nightmare - Rashid Khan was yet to bowl an over till then. The leg-spinner was left with a few wickets and he added them to his growing kitty, finishing the series with 16 wickets.

Rashid Khan to Muzarabani, out Bowled!! Three wickets in the last 5 balls for Rashid Khan and it is only apt that he finishes off this match and the series. He has been absolutely sensational in this series, the highest wicket tacker in the series by a distance. Afghanistan win the series 4-1. It was a quicker delivery and ball stayed a touch low too, by the time Muzarabani got his bat down ball had rattled his sticks. Muzarabani b Rashid Khan 0(3)

Rashid Khan to Muzarabani, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Shapoor to Tendai Chisoro, no run, angled in delivery and leading edge takes it back to the bowler

Shapoor to Tendai Chisoro, no run, A massive swing of the willow from Tendai Chisoro but ball defeats him by a distance

Shapoor to Tendai Chisoro, no run, bouncer aiming at the body, Tendai Chisoro mistimes the pull shot to fine leg. There was an opportunity to run but strangely Tendai Chisoro declines a run

Shapoor to Tendai Chisoro, no run, fuller length delivery aiming at the stumps, Tendai Chisoro gets his bat to it and pushes it to mid-on

Shapoor to Tendai Chisoro, no run, touch fuller of good length, Tendai Chisoro stays in the crease and blocks to the off-side

Shapoor to Tendai Chisoro, no run, good length delivery, comes in after pitching and hits Tendai Chisoro on pads

Shapoor Zadran [4.0-2-7-1] is back into the attack

Rashid Khan to Muzarabani, no run, googly and strikes Muzarabani on pads, it was certainly going down leg so not a huge appeal

Rashid Khan to Muzarabani, no run, defends it

Blessing Muzarabani, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Rashid Khan to Chatara, out Caught by Rahmat!! Rashid picks 2 in 3, is there a better spinner in the world cricket? If yes, I haven't seen him bowl. It was a straight delivery and it finds the outside edge of Chatara and straight to the slip fielder who gallops it with ease. Chatara c Rahmat b Rashid Khan 0(2)

Rashid Khan to Chatara, THATS OUT!! Caught!!