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Afghanistan’s leg-spinner Rashid Khan’s remarkable six-wicket haul has placed his team on the cusp of victory against Zimbabwe in the decisive second Test match in Bulawayo.
At the end of the fourth day, Zimbabwe found themselves struggling at 205 for 8 in their second innings, still needing 73 runs to reach their target. The match has seen fluctuating fortunes for both sides.
Rashid Khan, who had already taken four wickets for 94 runs in the first innings, ended the day with impressive figures of 6 for 66 in the second innings.
A prominent figure in T20 cricket, Rashid, playing in only his sixth Test match, achieved his fifth five-wicket haul and his third ten-wicket match haul.
Ismat Alam, making his Test debut, scored a century (101 runs), propelling Afghanistan to a total of 363 all out in their second innings, and setting Zimbabwe a target of 276 runs.
Sikandar Raza and Zimbabwe’s captain, Craig Ervine, formed a 58-run partnership for the fifth wicket, bringing the score to 157 for 5 before Rashid delivered a significant blow to the home team.
Raza attempted to hit a short delivery from Rashid Khan, but Shahidullah Kamal took an easy catch at silly mid-off, dismissing Raza for 38 runs off 83 balls.
Rashid had previously dismissed Dion Myers for 6 runs. After Raza’s dismissal, he proceeded to bowl Sean Williams for 16 runs and Brian Bennett for a duck in quick succession.
Williams, hampered by a back injury, mistimed a sweep shot, while Bennett was clean bowled by a delivery that pitched on middle stump and straightened, passing the edge of the bat.
Zimbabwe’s hopes of victory now rest largely on 39-year-old Craig Ervine, who remained unbeaten on 53 at the close of play. Ervine’s innings included a six and four boundaries, compiled from 97 deliveries.
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