After the first rubber finished in a tie, Afghanistan won the second Test in Bulawayo by 72 runs thanks to a seven-wicket haul by Rashid Khan, which helped the visitors secure the series 1-0. Zimbabwe lost the final two wickets without adding to their overnight total of 205 for 8, already on the verge of loss heading into the final day.
If captain Hashmatullah Shahidi hadn’t come in from cover and thrown down a chance at point, Rashid would have hit in his opening over to dismiss Richard Ngarava.
Ngarava was run out by Shahidullah Kamal in the very next over following a misunderstanding for a run with Craig Ervine, so it didn’t really make a difference. Ervine was caught leg before to give Rashid his sixth wicket of the day and give Afghanistan the victory. Ervine had kept Zimbabwe alive, if only barely, going into the fifth day.
Afghanistan managed to turn the tide on the home team with centuries from Rahmat Shah (139) and Ismat Alam (101) before Rashid could go through Zimbabwe’s lineup over the course of the previous two days. This allowed them to post a formidable total for the hosts, even though they had given up a lead in the first innings.
Similar to the second dig, three of Zimbabwe’s senior hitters were needed to dig in and give them the lead in the opening innings. Ervine (75), Sean Williams (49), and Sikandar Raza (61) helped them surpass Afghanistan’s first innings total, but they were unable to unite for the second time when faced with a goal of 278. On Day 4, Rashid eliminated Raza, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, and Ben Curran, who had started.
Ervine made another attempt at disobedience, but the lower and intermediate orders were unable to keep up. Rashid finished the match with 11 wickets after dismissing Zimbabwe’s top batsman of the match, ultimately causing Zimbabwe to collapse.
Brief scores: Afghanistan 363 (Rahmat Shah 139, Ismat Alam 101, Blessing Muzarabani 6-95), 157 (Rashid Khan 25; Sikandar Raza 3-30, Newman Nyamhuri 3-42). defeated Rashid Khan 4-94, Yamin Ahmadzai 3-62, Craig Ervine 75, Sikandar Raza 61, and Ervine 75 of Zimbabwe 243 by 72 runs, and Rashid Khan 7/66 of Zimbabwe 205.
Read More: Mosaddek out to prove his Credential in BPL
