*** Afghanistan edge Zimbabwe by five runs in T20 thriller | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Afghanistan edge Zimbabwe by five runs in T20 thriller

Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe by five runs in a thrilling Twenty20 clash on Friday to follow their triumph in the one-day series.

Chasing 188 to win, Zimbabwe fell just short when Luke Jongwe, needing a six to win, was dismissed off the last ball of the match.

It was a controversial finish, however, after Afghanistan seamer Dawlat Zadran was allowed to keep bowling the final over despite having sent down two waist-high full tosses.

Jongwe was caught by Gulbadin Naib out in the deep to leave Zimbabwe on 182-7 in their 20 overs.

Malcolm Waller was the not out batsman on 49 with two sixes and two boundaries off 37 balls.

Zadran finished with 3-32 off his four overs.

Afghanistan had won the toss and chose to bat, making 187-7 in their 20 overs.

Usman Ghani top-scored with 42 off 38 balls with a six and five boundaries while man-of-the-match Naib made 37 and Mohammad Shahzad, 33.

Veteran off-spinner Graeme Cremer returned impressive figures of 3-17.

The second and final match takes place at the same venue on Sunday.