Afghanistan trounce Zimbabwe, level Test series

KABUL (Pajhwok): Rahmat Shah shone with the willow as Afghanistan romped home in the second Test match against Zimbabwe in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.

With the six-wicket win, which Zimbabwe’s tail managed to delay for several hours, Afghanistan leveled the Test series 1-1.

On the final day, the tourists reached a second innings total of 365 runs, with Sean Williams playing the captain’s knock.

He remained unbeaten at 151, studded with 13 boundaries and a towering six. Donald Tinpand, who lent his skipper valuable support, was trapped leg before wicket by Rashid Khan five runs short of what would have been a remarkable century.

Zimbabwe had been bundled out for 287 in their first innings, as Sikandar Raza top-scored for them with 85. He was followed by Prince Masvaure with 65.

For the hosts, veteran leggie Rashid Khan captured seven wickets. Amir Hamza, Syed Sherzad and Javed Ahmadi claimed one scalp each.

Chasing a target of 108, Afghanistan took a shaky start and lost Ahmadi and Nasir Jamal cheaply. Hashmatullah Shahidi, who became the first Afghan ever to score a double century in Test cricket in the first innings, remained not out at six.

Rahmat Shah (58) and Ibrahim Zadran (29) batted with a deep sense of responsibility, steering Afghanistan to an emphatic victory.

In a post-match comment, triumphant skipper Asghar Afghan said his side had learnt a lot from the first game and managed to draw the two-match series.

He showered praise on Shahidi for his outstanding knock, saying his boys felt a tad bit demoralised after the 10-wicket loss in the first Test.

Shahidi, who was declared the man of the match, thanked coaching staff for reposing trust in him. He promised doing his best in future games as well.

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