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Exhilarating Test Series As Afghanistan Earn Series Draw Despite Zimbabwe's Spirited Batting Fight

 By Ashley Dube 

Afghanistan clinched a 6-wicket victory in the second Test against Zimbabwe levelling the 2 match series. In a highly entertaining Test series between the relatively small nations in the Test circuit, the bowling and batting displays proved to the world that Test cricket is very much alive in these parts and emphasized the need for more matches for these nations. Following their 10-wicket defeat in the first Test, Afghanistan won the toss again and chose to bat first.



It proved to be an inspired decision, as the pitch, unlike the first match, did not give much to the bowlers as Afghanistan were set to put a big score on the board. Harshmatullah Shahidi became the first player for Afghanistan to score a double hundred as he finished unbeaten on 200. He was supported by skipper Afghan who got 164 as Afghanistan declared at 545-4. 

In response, the Chevrons failed to stitch up big partnerships as they were bowled out for 287. With Prince Masvaure (65), Sikander Raza (85) Kevin Kasuza (41) and Tarisai Musakanda (41) offering resistance but not enough to avoid the follow-on.As a result, Afghanistan enforced the follow-on putting Zimbabwe to bat again. Zimbabwe were in all sorts of trouble as they stumbled to 142-7 before tea on day 4. 

The series was not kind to Test debutant Wessly Madhevere as expected, who recorded three consecutive ducks and is yet to score in his Test career (just bad days in office, we fully know his capabilities). Ryan Burl as well was not as impressive with the bat, falling without troubling the scorers in both his innings. 

Up stepped captain Sean Williams and Donald Tiripano who combined the highest 8th wicket stand for Zimbabwe of 187. The pair managed to get Zimbabwe in the lead in their second innings. However, talisman Rashid Khan got through their resistance, trapping Tiripano leg before wicket 5 runs short of his maiden international hundred. Zimbabwe were then bowled out for 365 with Williams finishing not out on 151.

The old cliché says bowlers win matches and Rashid Khan justified the notion with an exquisite bowling display. Rashid Khan, renowned as white ball beast, carried Afghanistan's bowling attack finishing with 11 wickets. Khan bowled with tremendous control for his 99.2 overs challenging both edges on regular basis on a flat pitch with little assistance for the wrist spinners. 

With Afghanistan needing 108 runs to seal the win, Rahmat Shah anchored the chase with his 58. Ryan Burl got two wickets as the Chevrons picked up 4 wickets.

Donald Tiripano And Sean Williams Zim Test cricket latest news results


Rashid Khan was named man of the match.

STATS ATTACK

·         Afghanistan win their 3rd Test match in 6 matches.

·         Donald Tiripano now has the highest score for a number 9 (95).

·      Rashid Khan’s 99.2 overs in this match is the most by a bowler in a Test match since 1998- Muttiah Mularithan Sri Lanka vs England a (113.5-41-220-16)

Sean Williams was named man of the series.


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