Powered by an all-around dominant performance, Afghanistan kicked off their tri-nation series in style by securing a commanding 158-run victory over Zimbabwe, handing Sikandar Raza's side a heavy defeat.

After starting the series with a massive 99-run win against Bangladesh, Zimbabwe stumbled in their second match, blowing the race for a spot in the final wide open. Bangladesh now has an opportunity to reach the final if they can defeat Afghanistan by a significant margin in their final match and successfully balance the required net run rate equations.

Meanwhile, a victory for Afghanistan would secure qualification for both them and Zimbabwe.

Centurion Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran laid a solid foundation for Afghanistan with a stellar 90-run knock. However, a late-innings collapse characterized by quick wickets and a slowed scoring rate prevented the team from reaching a projected massive total, though Rahmat Shah's side still managed to post 294 runs.

On the other end, Zimbabwe staged a strong comeback in the death overs to keep the target under three hundred. However, their batters failed to mount a fight, getting bowled out for just 136 runs. Afghanistan's 158-run victory also served as a favor to Bangladesh.

On October 21 in Sharjah, Bangladesh must defeat Afghanistan by a wide margin and boost their net run rate to secure a ticket to the final. The task ahead for Towhid Hridoy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and the rest of the squad is an open secret.

Star leg-spinner Rashid Khan's spin wizardry completely dismantled Zimbabwe's batting lineup, claiming 4 wickets for just 17 runs in 8 overs, including a maiden. Zimbabwe had fallen into a batting collapse right from the start, losing four wickets for 43 runs with three of their top four batsmen failing to reach double digits, aside from Brian Bennett's 31 runs.

From there, Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl forged a brief resistance, putting together a 64-run partnership off 112 balls. Rashid Khan broke through in the 32nd order by dismissing Ryan Burl, triggering a house-of-cards collapse in Zimbabwe's batting order. They lost their final six wickets for just 29 runs, slipping from 107 to 136 all out. Sikandar Raza was the team's top scorer with 48 runs, while Burl contributed 31.

Earlier, Atal stood out as Afghanistan's brightest star with the bat, scoring 102 runs off 110 balls with eight fours and a single six. This marked the left-hander's third ODI century, following a century he hit against Bangladesh in a Test match last week.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz attempted an aggressive start to the innings, signaling his intent by hitting Blessing Muzarabani for three fours and a six over point in a single over. However, that aggression proved costly when he dragged a delivery from Masuku onto his stumps to get bowled.

Despite losing the opening wicket, Zadran did not let Afghanistan's scoring rate drop, playing fluently from the outset. At the other end, Atal gradually opened up his stroke play, finding his rhythm with consecutive boundaries off Masuku.

The two batters further accelerated the assault by hitting Wellington Masakadza for a four and a six in the same over. Their responsible yet aggressive partnership laid the groundwork for a formidable total.

Just as Atal and Zadran's second-wicket partnership was becoming increasingly dangerous, Brad Evans brought relief to Zimbabwe. Trying to clear the ropes once more, Zadran skied a catch to deep square leg, departing for 90 runs off 96 balls laced with nine fours and two skies. He narrowly missed out on a century.

When Zadran fell, his partnership with Atal had yielded 140 runs for the second wicket. While this stand propelled Afghanistan into a strong position, the team soon slipped into pressure following a quick cluster of wickets.

Ernest Masuku landed back-to-back blows to put Afghanistan deeper in trouble, first bowling captain Rahmat Shah for just 7 runs and then dismissing Azmatullah Omarzai for 8 with a brilliant catch taken by Brendan Taylor. This sudden breakdown in momentum disrupted the Afghan innings right after the major partnership was broken.

Despite falling wickets, Atal kept his composure and continued to bat responsibly, building a crucial 42-run partnership with Hashmatullah Shahidi.

At one stage, Atal survived a dropped chance at long-on off Muzarabani's bowling, utilizing that reprieve to drive his innings forward.

Atal edged closer to his century by striking consecutive boundaries off Raza and Masakadza. He finally completed his third ODI career century in the 44th over by scrambling for three runs.

However, his stay at the crease was cut short shortly after celebrating his hundred when he fell to Raza in the following over. His knock of 102 runs served as one of the primary pillars of Afghanistan's massive total.

Shahidi did not last long after Atal's departure, scoring 28 runs off 30 balls before getting dismissed by a short ball from Muzarabani. Rashid Khan was then bowled by a slower delivery from Evans.

In the final overs, Zimbabwe's bowling unit seized control of the match, picking up wickets at regular intervals to stall the Afghan run-flow. Atal was named Player of the Match.