With edge over hosts, Zimbabwe resume innings at 135/5

KABUL (Pajhwok): With an edge over Afghanistan, Zimbabwe resumed their innings at 135/5 in the first Test match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi today (Wednesday).

On Tuesday, the tourists bowled remarkably well and bundled out the hosts for 131 and later took a two-run lead, losing five wickets.

Sean Williams (54) and Sikander Raza (43) added 12 runs to the overnight lead of two. They are looking to amass more runs to consolidate Zimbabwe’s lead. The visitors have still five wickets in hand.

On day one, Blessing Muzarabani and Victor Nyauchi snared seven wickets between themselves, leaving Afghan batsmen groping for runs.

Opener Ibrahim Zadran (31) and wicket-keeper batsman Afsar Zazai (37) managed to resist the opposition onslaught to some extent.

As Zimbabwe launched the chase, Hamza captured four wickets but that haul was not enough for Afghanistan, which seemed to struggle with the bowl as well.

Afghanistan suffered a further setback when their only pacer Yamin Ahmadzai left the field due t injury. The hosts will have to do something out of the ordinary to stage a comeback.

mud

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