Cricket’s unpredictability was on display in the ongoing second and final test between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan in Bulawayo. After conceding 86-run first-innings lead, Afghanistan are now on the brink of a series victory against the Zimbabwean side.
The visitors started the day at 291/7 with a lead of 205 runs, and Ismat Alam (64*) and Rashid Khan (12*) at the crease. The veteran spinner creamed a couple of boundaries to get things going, while the debutant Alam also timed the ball in supreme fashion to send the cherry to the fences.
However, Zimbabwe’s premier pacer Blessing Muzarabani stunned Rashid (23) with a quick bouncer, as the ball pops up off the gloves and gets caught by the keeper. Nevertheless, Alam looked on course with his odd boundaries and steer the team with his positive intent. Yamin Ahmadzai also supported Alam well and displayed his batting talent.
Soon Alam nudged Sikandar Raza’s full-toss to the long-on and completed his maiden hundred off 173 balls. However, Alam’s pull shot was caught at the short mid-wicket region, and he made way for a terrific knock of 101 off 181 balls. With this dismissal, Muzarabani grabbed his sixth wicket of the innings, while also recording his first test fifer.
Ngarava dismissed Ahmadzai (19) with a short-ball, as Afghanistan were bundled out for 363 and set up a target of 278.
Rashid Khan’s magic floors Zimbabwe
Chasing 278, Ben Curran gave a good start to the Zimbabwean side with his couple of boundaries in the second over. The southpaw displayed his cuts against the pacers, while switched to mid-wicket when battling the spinners.
Although, Joylord Gumbie’s (15) reverse sweep worked for him on the first occasion, he was caught at the slips in his second attempt. Then, Takudzwanashe Kaitano took his settle down on the crease and began accumulating boundaries.
Although, Curran was looking solid with his approach, he chopped on Rashid Khan’s leg break delivery. He scored 38 off 53 balls, with five fours.
Kaitano (21) slammed a sensational six off Fareed Ahmad to display his intentions, however, he miscued his sweep against Rashid and was caught at the slips. Then, Dion Myers (6) was found to be plumb LBW off Rashid, as the hosts were reduced to 99/4.
Captain Sean Erine joined hands with Sikandar Raza, as the duo opted a defensive approach and tried to guide the team carefully. However, their 58-run stand was broken by Rashid, as Raza failed to give the fuller ball the treatment it deserved, and instead was caught at short cover. He scored 38 off 83 and failed to convert his knock into a big knock.
The veteran pair of Ervine and Sean Williams were slowly building a crisp partnership with their positive minset, but Williams’ (16) slog-sweep could only result in him dragging the ball on to the stumps.
Brian Bennett (0) and Newman Nyamhuri (0) were two more casualties, as Zimbabwe ended the day on 205/8. Rashid has been exceptional with figures of 6/66 so far for Afghanistan.
Ervine (53*) and Richard Ngarava (3*) are currently at the crease for the hosts. It would certainly take a miracle for Zimbabwe, as they need 73 runs more with two wickets to spare.
