Afghanistan clinched a decisive 72-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second Test, requiring just 15 balls on the final day to wrap up the match. This win at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo secured a 1-0 series victory for Afghanistan in the two-match series. Since gaining Test status in 2017, Afghanistan has now claimed victories in four out of the 11 Tests they have played, with two of these wins coming against Zimbabwe.
Rashid Khan emerged as the star performer for Afghanistan, delivering an outstanding bowling performance in the second innings of the match. He took seven wickets, pivotal in dismissing Zimbabwe for 205 runs. Khan's efforts were instrumental in dismantling Zimbabwe's batting lineup, including trapping their top scorer, Craig Ervine, leg before wicket. Ervine was the last wicket to fall for Zimbabwe after contributing 53 runs off 103 balls.
The Test series showcased a mix of challenges and triumphs for both teams. The first Test ended in a high-scoring draw, while the second Test faced several interruptions due to rain. Despite these disruptions, Rashid Khan remained unfazed. Even when injured during the second innings, he continued playing, demonstrating remarkable dedication to his team.
“The way they performed second time round got us back into the match,” – (unspecified speaker)
In addition to Khan's brilliance, Richard Ngarava's run-out for three marked a turning point in Zimbabwe's innings. This dismissal further destabilized Zimbabwe's batting order, giving Afghanistan the upper hand. Rashid Khan finished with an impressive tally of 11 wickets across both innings of the match, earning him the well-deserved player of the match award.
Rashid Khan took a moment to acknowledge his teammates' contributions, particularly highlighting Rahmat Shah and debutant Ismat Alam.
“The way Ismat shrugged off the disappointment of being out for nought in his first innings was amazing. He was hurt during the second innings but carried on for the sake of his country.” – (unspecified speaker)
