Rashid Khan's exceptional performance in the final hour of play has positioned Afghanistan on the brink of a significant victory in the second Test match against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. As play concluded on the fourth day, Zimbabwe found itself at 205 for eight, requiring an additional 73 runs to achieve their target of 278 runs and win the series, following a high-scoring draw in the first Test.
Zimbabwe's final day's efforts will resume with Captain Craig Ervine, who is presently at 53 runs without losing his wicket, paired with Richard Ngarava, who is yet to score. The duo will need to showcase resilience and skill as they attempt to navigate through Afghanistan's formidable bowling attack, particularly focusing on Rashid Khan's impressive leg-spin, which has been crucial in shifting the momentum in favor of Afghanistan.
Rashid Khan's contribution has been nothing short of phenomenal, with a remarkable bowling figure of 6 for 66 in Zimbabwe's second innings. This performance has elevated his total wicket count in the match to 10, an indication of his dominance with the ball. In Zimbabwe's first innings, he recorded respectable figures of 4 for 94, highlighting his ability to thwart the home team's batting lineup effectively.
Afghanistan's earlier innings concluded at 363, which was notable considering they began the day at 291 for 7 on the scoreboard. Ismat Alam played a pivotal role in this innings, securing his century by reaching 101 runs. Blessing Muzarabani's impressive bowling for Zimbabwe saw him claim 6 wickets for 95 runs, further illustrating the competitive nature of this encounter.
As the final day approaches, the focus will be on how Zimbabwe, with their experienced players at the crease, addresses the challenge posed by Rashid Khan and the Afghan bowling unit. The match remains finely poised, with both teams having showcased their capabilities, but a victory for Afghanistan is now tantalizingly within reach.