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Zimbabwe's tour of Afghanistan (UAE) 2021

Day 2 Stumps

ZIM (50/0) trail AFG by 495 runs.
day 2 afg zim.jpg
 
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4 wickets in 2 days - stark contrast to the first Test.

Still you gotta bat well flat pitch or not, and for these two teams, it's important their batsmen get into the habit of scoring big runs at Test level.
 
Hashmatullah Shahidi makes history, puts Afghanistan on top on day two

Afghanistan maximised the good batting conditions to put up a formidable total of 545/5d in their first innings, before Zimbabwe scored 50/2 at stumps on day two.

It was a glorious moment for Afghanistan cricket as Hashmatuallah Shahidi scored an unbeaten 200 in 443 balls to become their first batsman to score a double century in Tests.

Afghanistan had resumed day two on 307/3 with Asghar Afghan and Shahidi at the crease. The batsmen were unfazed by the prospect of the new ball swinging in the first hour with some moisture in the air and batted with determination.

Zimbabwe failed to get a breakthrough as the duo compiled 81 runs in the first session. They did have an opportunity early in the day to dismiss Shahidi, who was then batting on 112, but Sean Williams could not hold on to a catch off his own bowling. Their average day in the field continued as Kevin Kasuza also dropped a sitter at point after Afghan skied one up.

As the second session progressed, Zimbabwe found themselves hapless as Shahidi showcased his resilience. He tired out the Zimbabwe bowlers with his solid defence.

Off-spinner Sikander Raza mixed things up as he decided to change sides and bowl around the wicket. The plan worked as he trapped Asghar Afghan in the front for a 257-ball 164. This was the only wicket to fall on day two.

Afghan and Shahidi's 307-run partnership set the record for the highest Test stand for Afghanistan. Afghan also crossed to become his team's highest run-scorer in Tests.

Nasir Jamal joined Shahidi at the crease and reached his maiden Test fifty, sharing another unbeaten century-stand with Shahidi.

Once Shahidi reached the record highest individual score for Afghanistan, skipper Afghan immediately declared their innings on 545/4 with 17 overs still left in the day.

The Zimbabwe openers Prince Masvaure (29*) and Kevin Kasuza (14*) negotiated well in response to Afghanistan’s massive lead. The surface seemed to talk once Rashid Khan came to bowl in the ninth over and got turn and bounce straightway.

However, Zimbabwe hung in to end the day at 50/0.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2063138
 
Zimbabwe 77/0 . When Afghans were scoring for fun it was obvious this isn't very difficult wicket to bat on.
 
This is very bad pitch for Test , absolutely nothing in for bowlers, its producing such a boring run fear.
 
Rashid Khan gets first wicket. 91/1 . Zimbwbe still not in a very bad position.
 
Would be a monumental effort by Rashid Khan if he can win the match for his side on this placid wicket.
 
Rafa said:
100/1 . Zimbabwe batting to save this match and the series.
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Zimbabwe cannot lose the series anyhow, they are batting to win the series.

It's the Afghans who need to force a result in this match and considering that they should have asked for a result wicket. After the 2 day humiliation they were so scared that they went in with a flat Road.
 
sam_ahm said:
Zimbabwe cannot lose the series anyhow, they are batting to win the series.

It's the Afghans who need to force a result in this match and considering that they should have asked for a result wicket. After the 2 day humiliation they were so scared that they went in with a flat Road.
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Oh yeah I meant Zimbabwe batting to save this match and win the series .

I think it's the Selfish Afghan batters who asked for a placid track so that they can make the most of the wicket and their deficiencies don't get exposed, even if that means giving Zimbabwe a big chance to draw the match and win the series.

I don't understand the Afghan thought process here. Rashid Khan is Afghanistan's Trump card whose back for this match so they should have opted for a track that assisted him. Afghanistan could have run through Zimbabwe with help of Rashid but no they preferred a track which has most likely nullified him.

If Zimbabwe somehow are able to save the follow on then it will be very difficult for Afghans to win the match.
 
Another one goes. Zimbabwe 133/2..Afghanistan still have some hope, would love to dismiss Williams cheaply.
 
ZIM 145/2 (48) CRR: 3.02
Day 3: Lunch Break - Zimbabwe trail by 400 runs
 
Zimbabwe in trouble!

ZIM 230/6 (72) CRR: 3.19 - trail by 315 runs
 
Khan has bowled well but so has Hamza. It's a very difficult track to get wickets on.
 
Rafa said:
Oh yeah I meant Zimbabwe batting to save this match and win the series .

I think it's the Selfish Afghan batters who asked for a placid track so that they can make the most of the wicket and their deficiencies don't get exposed, even if that means giving Zimbabwe a big chance to draw the match and win the series.

I don't understand the Afghan thought process here. Rashid Khan is Afghanistan's Trump card whose back for this match so they should have opted for a track that assisted him. Afghanistan could have run through Zimbabwe with help of Rashid but no they preferred a track which has most likely nullified him.

If Zimbabwe somehow are able to save the follow on then it will be very difficult for Afghans to win the match.
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afghanistan would have crumbled like they did in the first test on anything other than a flat batting road.
 
Day3 : Session 3

ZIM 272/8
Trail by 273 runs

Raza 72*
Muzarabani 0*
 
Day 3 : Session 3

ZIM 1st Inn folded at 287 (Sikandar Raza 85)

2nd INN follows on : 8/0 after 5 ov
 
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Afghanistan bowled Zimbabwe out for 287 in the first innings, and enforced a follow-on as the visitors went to stumps on day three at 24/0, trailing by 234.

Zimbabwe resumed the day on 50/0. The openers, Prince Masvaure (65) and Kevin Kasuza (41) gave them a good start but couldn’t convert it into a big score. Their opening partnership of 91 off 181 balls came to end when Kasuza edged one to the slip off Rashid Khan’s bowling.

Tarisai Masukanda joined Masvaure in the middle. Masukanda attempted to anchor the innings from his end but lost Masvaure (65), Sean Williams (8), and Wesley Madhevere (0) in quick successions as Zimbabwe were reduced to 145/4 in the 50th over.

Amir Hamza continued to maintain pressure from his end and took three wickets for 73 runs. Masukanda scored 41 in 91 balls but was outdone by a googly bowled by Rashid after a change of ends, which turned in sharply resulting him in getting out lbw.

Sikandar Raza combined forces with Regis Chakabva and added 53 runs to the total. Chakabva was dismissed, caught by Ibrahim Zadran, who took an incredible one-handed catch at short leg.

Raza played a counter-attacking innings of 85 with a strike rate of 65.89. His innings included seven fours and a six. While batting with tailenders, Raza decided to keep the majority of the strike with himself to protect the lower order batsmen.

Raza steered a yorker in the gap to pick up a single on the last ball of the 91st over but the fielder intentionally collected the ball from beyond the ropes to deny Raza the strike. The umpires penalized Afghanistan by awarding Zimbabwe an extra run.

Rashid was the pick of the bowlers. He finished with the figures of 4/138 and also effected the run out of Blessing Muzarbani (0) via a direct hit.

Zimbabwe after being asked to bat again finished the day 24/0.
 
It's a long shot for Zimbabwe to bat for two whole days, but the pitch holds no demons whatsoever. Typical slow Abu Dhabi wicket on which batsmen, if they apply themselves, can hold out for a long period.

Zimbabwe's poor bowling and fielding seems to have cost them the series.
 
Rashid Khan will be the key here again , If Afghans wants to win , Rashid needs to get the majority of the wicket
 
If Zimbabwe get through and take match to the fifth day , it will be big effort for them , even on this surface Rashid can be pretty useful.
 
Zimbabwe 67/2
2nd innings
Trail Afghanistan by 191 runs.

This match should end at some point today. Zimbabwe needed a big contribution from the openers to set the foundation and not expose the middle order too soon.
 
AFG 545/4 d
ZIM 287 & 132/4 (f/o) (59.4) CRR: 2.21

Day 4: 2nd Session - Zimbabwe trail by 126 runs

50* for Sean Williams but a long way to go.
 
Rashid Khan has bowled like a Champion here. Zimbabwe six wickets down.
 
5/64 so far for Rashid Khan. He is a level above most of the players in the Test due to his International class reputation.
 
Got to admire Rashid and Afghans. They are fighters. If they could some how set their first class structure to nurture some more talent, they will at least be in top 6. That will be a great achievement for a start.
 
Zimbabwe 189/7
2nd innings
Trail Afghanistan by 69 runs

Williams 71*
Rashid Khan 5/82

Williams fighting grimly on, but no support. New ball now due for Afghanistan.
 
Williams has got his Century, his second of the series and with that Zimbabwe now lead by 3 runs with 3 wickets in hand.
 
ZIM 261/7 (lead of 3 runs over AFG)

Day 4 : Session 3
Sean Williams (103) , Donald Tiripano (61) continue batting with less than 2 over to go before stumps.
 
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It's Stumps on Day 4 with Zimbabwe leading with 8 runs.

Williams batting at 106* and Tiripano at 63* on the other end .


Afghanistan are still the favorites however their bowlers must be tired after being in the field for over 2 days . They need to be patient and wait for the wicket to fall as they are just one wicket away from levelling the series.
 
This has been an excellent innings by Sean Williams, stood up as captain when the other batsmen had failed. There will be a few nervous Afghan players if this partnership continues for another hour tomorrow morning.
 
Stumps : Day 4
ZIM 266/7 (lead by 8 runs)
Sean Williams (106)*
Donald Tiripano (63)*
 
Williams, Tiripano lead Zimbabwe fightback despite Rashid five-for

Skipper Sean Williams and Donald Tiripano shared a crucial century stand as Zimbabwe finished day four on 266/7, with a lead of eight runs.

Zimbabwe were forced to follow-on after being dismissed for 287 in the first innings on the previous day. They resumed day four on 24/0, with openers Kevin Kasuza and Prince Masvaure at the crease.

The opening duo seemed to be in good touch adding 20 runs to the existing total. Their promising stand came to an end as Masvaure returned a full toss straight to Javed Ahmadi. Rashid Khan in the very next over, struck to send back Kasuza for 30.

Skipper Sean Williams joined Tarisai Musakanda in the middle and the duo managed to stitch together an important 55-run second-wicket stand.

It was Rashid again who brought an end to the solid partnership, dismissing Muskanda lbw with his trademark googly. Wesley Madhevere failed to make an impact as he fell prey to Sayed Shirzad for a duck in the very next over.

Sikandar Raza looked to replicate his first innings performance, as he, alongside Williams, built a brief 38-run partnership before falling to to Rashid in the 61st over.

Rashid continued to pose problems for Zimbabwe as he picked up two more wickets, completing his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

Captain Williams showcased his resilience as he continued to reduce the deficit for Zimbabwe. Williams found the support of Donald Tripano as they combined for a partnership of 124 runs spanning 43 overs troubling the Afghanistan bowling attack.

Zimbabwe have their work cut out for day 5, they will have to be wary of Rashid’s threat if they want to put up a defendable score

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2064673
 
This has been a good series, Zimbabwe overall have been the better team yet will find the series ending 1-1, they have missed Taylor and Ervine big time in this second test.

Zimbabweans played some really poor shots, Masvaure got out to a full toss, Raza got out trying to hit Rashid for a six having hit him twice before, even in the first innings some dismissals were very soft. They have themselves to blame.
 
sam_ahm said:
This has been a good series, Zimbabwe overall have been the better team yet will find the series ending 1-1, they have missed Taylor and Ervine big time in this second test.

Zimbabweans played some really poor shots, Masvaure got out to a full toss, Raza got out trying to hit Rashid for a six having hit him twice before, even in the first innings some dismissals were very soft. They have themselves to blame.
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Zimbabwe were good in the first match, in the second, Afghanistan has been all over them. Zimbabwe has the Afghan umpire to thank, Rashid had Williams plumbed when he was on 50, there was another one few balls later.

That said, Afghanistan needs to find the right balance in the test squad. The players are there but Asghar politics ruins it all.

Afghanistan is a much better team than Zimbabwe in all formats of dirty game isn’t played by Asghar and ACB
 
There was no DRS review system in this series . Umpires have enjoyed giving calls like they wanted without being challenged.
 
They have prepared such a phatta track that isn't even breaking on day 5 and is still good to bat.
 
Strange that they have no DRS in place for an international series, I would have thought it was mandatory for all international matches.

I imagine the problem is the cost as the Afghan board probably can't afford hawkeye or snicko. The ICC really is the most useless organization around.
 
If Afghans do not get these wickets quickly , it will be little tough for Afghans . The more time Zimbabwe spend , the number of overs gets less also , the lead swells.
 
The current partnership is worth 137 so far , Sean Williams is a pretty decent batsman he can bat pretty long times.
 
Afghanistan need not panic they are just one wicket away from victory.
 
Hope for an interesting day. Good fight by Zimbabwe. It would be very disapointing for Afghanistan to not win that one.
 
Rafa said:
Afghanistan need not panic they are just one wicket away from victory.
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They wouldn't be a reason to panic if the current patnership wasn't 150 runs big but I see what you mean, one wicket can fell anytime.
 
70 overs remaining, Zimbabwe lead by 56 runs.

Each over these two survives and add more runs it would make more difficult for Afghans
 
Well played Zim.
These two are really making this last, otherwise it was all over yesterday.
 
Afghanistan still one wicket away I would say. They would be up to chase anything on this wicket from range of 150-175.
 
Zimbabwe lead by 72 runs ,

Afghans would love to get last two wickets as early as possible here
 
Rashid Khan has bowled almost double that of any other. What a guy to carry such a massive workload.
 
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