At the end of day two in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe leads by 40 runs.
Afghanistan found themselves in trouble early, losing four wickets before reaching fifty. However, Sikandar Raza and Craig Ervine steadied the innings, with both players scoring fifties and Sean Williams contributing effectively, helping Zimbabwe take the lead. They then quickly dismissed three Afghan batters.
In the second Test of the series in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s first innings ended at 243 runs. Afghanistan, in reply, was 46/3 by the end of the second day, still trailing by 40 runs.
Raza played a key role in Zimbabwe’s 86-run lead, scoring 61 runs off 6 fours. Captain Ervine contributed 75 runs with 2 sixes and 4 fours, while Williams added 49 runs from 8 fours.
Afghanistan started the day with a tight grip, dismissing four Zimbabwean wickets for just 41 runs. But Raza and Ervine formed a 71-run partnership, with Afghanistan missing two chances to dismiss Raza at 7 and 53 runs, both times off Farid’s bowling.
Raza reached his fifty off 84 balls but couldn’t continue his innings, getting out to a paddle sweep off Zia-ur-Rehman. Rashid Khan quickly sent back Brian Bennett and Niyamuriki, leaving Zimbabwe in danger of folding before reaching 200 runs.
Williams and Ervine, however, formed Zimbabwe’s biggest partnership of the innings. They added 73 runs before Williams was dismissed for 49. After a brief rain delay and a damp pitch, Zimbabwe’s innings ended with Ervine’s departure, leaving Rashid with 4 wickets in the innings.
Afghanistan’s reply started poorly as Blessing Muzarabani struck early, dismissing Abdul Majid and debutant Riaz Hasan. Raza then bowled out Hashmatullah Shahidi for just 13 runs.
After another brief delay due to poor light, the umpires called off play for the day.
Match Summary:
Afghanistan 1st Innings: 157
Zimbabwe 1st Innings: 243 all out (Raza 61, Ervine 75, Williams 49, and others; Yamin Ahmadzai 3/62, Farid 2/27, Rashid Khan 4/94)
Afghanistan 2nd Innings: 46/3 (Malik 1*, Riaz 11, Rehmat 16*, Shahidi 13*; Ngara 0/12, Muzarabani 2/17, Niyamuriki 0/13, Raza 0/1)
