Zimbabwe and Afghanistan On the second day of the second Test in Bulawayo, where the balance of power changes frequently, Leaving Zimbabwe with a slim 40-point lead at stumps. The day was marked by a reversal of fortunes, as both teams showcased their skills on a challenging field that tested the players' temperament.
Early struggles for Zimbabwe on day two
Resuming their innings at 6 for no loss after bowling out Afghanistan for 157, Zimbabwe's top order faced immediate difficulties.. Joylord Gumby He was the first to go down, beating the delivery from Farid Ahmed to Abdul Malik On the second slip. This sets the tone for a shaky start Yamin Ahmadzai It was quickly followed up by another wicket, trapped We wish you good health Down the side of the leg. The hosts found themselves in tatters at 16 to 2, and soon after, Ben Curran He fell victim to a mishap from Fred, which left Zimbabwe reeling at 32 for 3.
With pressure fitting Dion Myers He was promoted to No. 5 but could not withstand the attack. He tried to counter-attack but was bowled hard to slip Zimbabwe into deeper trouble at 41 for 4. At this point, Afghanistan looked set to take control of the match.
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Flexibility presented by Craig Irvine and Sikander Reza
When it looked like Zimbabwe might collapse, Craig Irvin and Iskandar Reda He stepped up to stabilize the innings. The duo added 71 runs for the fifth wicket, with Irvin showing composure and Raza providing solid counter-play. Reza, playing his first Test since 2021, reached his half-century with an elegant drive through the covers, while Irvin also brought up his fifty shortly before tea.
Despite suffering from a back injury Sean Williams He joined the fray and contributed greatly with a quick 49 runs. His determination was evident as he attacked the bowlers with confidence, even when he was in discomfort. Together, they pushed Zimbabwe to a total of 243, taking an important first innings lead of 86 runs.
Afghanistan got off to a shaky start in the second half
With a modest goal set by Zimbabwe, Afghanistan's second round began under pressure. Blessing Al-Muzarabani He struck early by dismissing Malik for just one run. The Afghan batting line-up continued to falter as Muzarabani claimed another wicket, leaving Afghanistan at a precarious 18 for 2.
May God have mercy on me, my martyr and Rahma Shah They sought to rebuild their innings but faced relentless pressure from Zimbabwe's bowlers. Raza made a huge impact by dismissing Shahidi before losing, leaving Afghanistan reeling at 46 for 3.
The day concluded with Afghanistan trailing by 40 runs but with seven wickets still in hand. The pitch remained a challenge for batsmen, and both teams had opportunities to dominate. Zimbabwe's bowlers were disciplined and efficient, while Afghanistan needed to regroup and build partnerships if they were to set a competitive target.
Logs, day two
Zimbabwe got three wickets!
Afghanistan finished 46/3, a margin of 40 runs#ZIMvAFG #Visit Zimbabwe 📝https://t.co/HdHfDCXyud pic.twitter.com/Q1BW9u2Irt
– Cricket in Zimbabwe (@ZimCricketv) January 3, 2025
