Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
AFGHANISTAN took only 10 minutes to wrap up victory by 72 runs on the final day of the inaugural New Year’s test against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club this Monday.
It took just 15 deliveries on the final day for the visitors to take the last two wickets and wrap up the match, winning by 72 runs, thereby clinching the series one-nil.
Zimbabwe were dismissed for 205, failing to add to their overnight score and lost the remaining two wickets in just over 10 minutes.
Richard Ngarava was run out in the second over of the day, while Captain Craig Ervine, who had been resolute was trapped leg before wicket by Rashid Khan the following over.
Afghanistan came from behind to pull off a heist in Bulawayo to win their first-ever Test series against the Chevrons.
Having conceded a first-innings lead of 86 runs, things looked a bit tough for Afghanistan as they had a massive challenge to first overhaul the deficit and then set a target for Zimbabwe.
Rahmat Shah and debutant Ismat Alam’s centuries did the job for the visitors with the bat in the second innings before Rashid Khan worked his magic with the ball.
Rashid Khan registered his second seven-wicket haul after claiming 7 for 66 which was not only Rashid’s career-best figures but also the best bowling figures for Afghanistan.
The Chevrons once again faltered with history in sight and rather gave the visitors records, with the trend slowly becoming the norm for the national cricket team.
The 72-run victory is Afghanistan’s first Test win since 2021, their fourth overall Test win since they got the Test status in 2018.
The last time Afghanistan won a Test was against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi in 2021.
The first test, also in Bulawayo, ended in a high-scoring draw.
Afghanistan wrap up their tour with series victories in all the three formats tests, ODIs and T20s.
