Raza, Nyamhuri Shine with Three Wickets Each to Dismiss Afghanistan

Zimbabwe made a strong statement in the second Test against Afghanistan, taking control early after bowling them out for just 157 on the opening evening. Having made five changes to their lineup, Zimbabwe needed only 44.3 overs and less than two full sessions to dismiss Afghanistan. This was a sharp contrast to the opening Test, […]

In Bulawayo, the visitors, who had struggled in the first match, found themselves on the back foot early in the second Test. Despite a promising start in the first match, Afghanistan’s batting faltered quickly in the face of Zimbabwe’s relentless bowling attack, handing Zimbabwe a commanding position going into the second innings.

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Zimbabwe Bowlers Dominate as Afghanistan Struggles on Rain-Delayed Day

Zimbabwe’s bowlers took charge early in the second Test against Afghanistan, with Newman Nyamhuri and Sikandar Raza each claiming three wickets, while Blessing Muzarabani added two. None of the Afghanistan batters could build on their starts, resulting in the visitors being bowled out for 157. The Zimbabwe bowlers’ disciplined effort, coupled with Afghanistan’s inability to capitalize on opportunities, allowed Zimbabwe to take a commanding position.

In reply, Zimbabwe’s openers, Ben Curran and Joylord Gumbie, faced a challenging three-over spell, but they managed to survive. The opening day was delayed for nearly four hours due to persistent rain, which changed the dynamics of the match. When conditions improved, Zimbabwe’s captain, Craig Ervine, chose to bowl first, having no hesitation in exploiting the “spicy pitch” that Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, had described.

Zimbabwe made two changes to their lineup, bringing in Richard Ngarava and Raza, while Afghanistan made five alterations, including Test debuts for Fareed Ahmad, Riaz Hassan, and Ismat Alam. The pitch in Bulawayo had a noticeable green tinge, but despite this, Muzarabani and Ngarava struggled to extract much movement, primarily due to their short-length deliveries. Afghanistan’s openers, Abdul Malik and Riaz, appeared composed early on, but their cautious approach resulted in just 25 runs from the first ten overs.

Zimbabwe’s Fielding Brilliance and Raza’s Mastery Lead to Afghanistan’s Collapse

A brilliant moment in the field gave Zimbabwe the breakthrough they needed. Afghanistan’s Riaz, after pushing a full delivery from Richard Ngarava to the right of point, set off for a quick single. However, Malik, who had sent him back late, caused Riaz to turn and scramble back. As Riaz desperately tried to make his ground, Zimbabwe’s fielder Bennett sprinted to his right, picked up the ball with one hand, and executed a perfect throw to the stumps, catching the batter short. In the very next over, Nyamhuri delivered a short ball that sharply rose and caught Malik’s gloves, sending him to the wicketkeeper for a crucial dismissal.

Shahidi and Rahmat Shah, who had set a record partnership in the opening Test, tried to stabilize the innings. Shahidi began aggressively with a fierce cut shot off Muzarabani, while Rahmat also got off the mark with a streaky four past the wicketkeeper. Rahmat added two more boundaries off Muzarabani, but was given a lifeline when a thick outside edge off Ngarava was spilled by Dion Myers at gully. The pair reached lunch unbeaten, but Zimbabwe quickly struck after the break, with Nyamhuri once again having the upper hand. The young pacer squared up Shahidi, trapping him in front of the stumps for just 13.

Afghanistan’s hopes were dashed further as Raza came into the attack and turned the game in Zimbabwe’s favor. Raza’s brilliant variation in pace and his accurate wicket-to-wicket lines left Rahmat and Zazai uncertain at the crease. Nyamhuri continued to apply pressure, inducing multiple outside edges, while Raza orchestrated a collapse, dismissing both Rahmat and Zazai. The relentless pressure from Zimbabwe’s bowlers had Afghanistan on the back foot, and the hosts seized control of the match.

Zimbabwe’s Bowlers Strike in Quick Succession as Afghanistan’s Middle Order Collapses

Rahmat, struggling to find the rhythm against Raza, attempted a cheeky lap sweep in a bid to unsettle the bowler. However, Raza responded with a ball on middle stump, and Rahmat missed it completely, leaving his leg stump shattered. Ngarava followed up with a sharp delivery that had Zazai fending off a snorter, and Raza then cleaned up debutant Alam with a precise yorker. In the span of just ten balls, Afghanistan’s score plummeted from 81 for 3 to 84 for 6.

Rashid Khan, however, tried to counterattack as soon as he walked in, dispatching Raza for three consecutive cover drives. Shahidullah also got off the mark with a wristy flick for a boundary. Despite being wayward for much of the day, Muzarabani finally found his length, drawing a thin edge off Shahidullah’s bat through to the wicketkeeper. Rashid’s counterattack was halted when he misjudged a short and wide delivery from Muzarabani, with deep point taking an easy catch. Raza then sealed the visitors’ fate by cleaning up Yamin Ahmadzai for his third wicket, leaving Afghanistan on the brink of collapse.

Zia-ur-Rehman and Fareed Ahmad, however, fought back with a gritty partnership, adding 27 for the final wicket at a run-a-ball rate. Fareed, the debutant, played some aggressive shots, including a four and a six, to finish with 17 from 19 balls, pushing Afghanistan past 150. Zimbabwe’s openers then faced a tricky 20-minute spell before the close of play, surviving Afghanistan’s attack. With rain and a wet outfield reducing the play to just 47.3 overs on the opening day, the match has already moved at a brisk pace, and Zimbabwe will look to erase the deficit quickly on day two.