Leg-spinner Rashid Khan took six wickets in a row to put Afghanistan on the verge of victory in the series-deciding second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo yesterday.
Zimbabwe were 205-8 in their second innings at stumps on day four - 72 runs off their target heading into the final day of a seesaw contest at Queens Sports Club.
Rashid, who took 4-94 in the first innings, finished the day with 6-66 in the second.
A star of T20 cricket but playing in only his sixth Test, it was Rashid’s fifth five-wicket haul, the third time he has taken 10 wickets in a match.
Ismat Alam, playing in his first Test, struck 101 to propel the tourists to 363 all out in their second innings and a lead of 276. Sikandar Raza and captain Craig Ervine put on 58 for the fifth wicket to leave Zimbabwe on 157-5 when Rashid dealt a massive blow to the home team.
BRIEF SCORES (Second Test, Day 3)Afghanistan 157 (Rashid Khan 25; S. Raza 3-30, N. Nyamhuri 3-42) and 363 in 113.5 overs (Rahmat Shah 139, Ismat Alam 101; B.Muzarabani 6-95, R. Ngarava 3-76) v Zimbabwe 243 (C. Ervine 75, S. Raza 61, S. Williams 49; Rashid Khan 4-94, Yamin Ahmadzai 3-62) and 205-8 in 66 overs (S.Ervine 53 not out, B. Curran 38, S. Raza 38; Rashid Khan 6-66)
Match situation: Zimbabwe need 73 runs to win with two wickets standing
Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan (third left) leads his team off the field during the third day of the second and final Test against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo yesterday. (@ACBofficials)
