Afghanistan's veteran leg-spinner Rashid Khan's seven-wicket haul helped Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by 72 runs in the second Test at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo and win the two-Test series 1-0. Rashid registered the best bowling figures by an Aghan bowler in Test cricket. He claimed seven wickets for 77 runs to bowl out Zimbabwe for 205 despite captain Craig Ervine's gritty half-century.
Zimbabwe were 205/8 after the end of Day 4's play. On the fourth ball of the first over of Day 5, Richard Ngarava's catch was dropped by captain Hashmatullah Shahidi. In the next over, there was a horrible mix-up between Ervine and Ngarava resulting in the latter's wicket. In Rashid's next over, Ervine was trapped in front of the wickets. He would have been saved had DRS been available for the series. He departed after scoring 53 runs from 103 balls.
This is Afghanistan's first Test win since 2021. Also, this is their fourth Test win since they got the Test status in 2018. The last time Afghanistan won a Test was against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi in 2021.
"Thanks to the almighty for the performance, it was hard for me to play Test cricket after the back injury, it was a team effort, the guys delivered with the bat and put us back into the contest, giving us a chance to go on and press for victory," Rashid said in the post-match presentation as he was adjudged 'Player of the match'.
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"I just want to keep it simple, just accustomed to the conditions, haven't bowled with the red ball for three years, but I have played international cricket for 10-11 years, the length was very important, just keep bowling in the channel and keep up the pressure," he added.
After collapse in first innings, Shah and Alam score centuries
Earlier, Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bowl first. Afghanistan suffered a collapse and were bowled out for 157 in 44.3 overs. Rashid posted a 20-ball 25 cameo. In reply, Sikandar Raza, Ervine's half-centuries and Sean Williams' 49-run knock helped Zimbabwe post 243. Rashid took four wickets in the first innings. Afghanistan batters made a comeback in their second innings. After losing five wickets for just 69 runs, Rahmat Shah and debutant Ismat Alam's centuries helped Afghanistan posted 363 on the board and set a 278-run target for the hosts.
