AFG VS ZIM 2ND TEST

Right then, honours shared in the Test series and now the two teams will get ready to play the 3-match T20I series. The first match is on Wednesday, 17th March 2021 at 1400 local (1000 GMT). Do join us for all the action. Cheers!

Asghar Afghan, the captain of Afghanistan, says they learnt a lot from the first game and they managed to come back strongly. Praises Hashmatullah Shahidi for his outstanding knock and regarding his own batting, Asghar replies that he tried to play his natural game and it went well. Shares that they were disappointed after the first Test but adds that they are still new in this format and learning. He credits Rashid Khan for the way he bowled despite being not fully fit.

PLAYER OF THE SERIES IS SEAN WILLIAMS! The Zimbabwean skipper says it was a fantastic series and winning the first Test in two days was a remarkable thing. Mentions that they were on the back foot on the first two days of the second Test but gives credit to his boys for fighting hard. Shares that the chat in the dressing room was to just bat and not think about anything else. He adds that to play the time out of the game was their plan. Feels that they missed out on winning the series by just 60 minutes. Informs that they have a few new players coming in for T20Is and they are excited to have them. Hopes to get a different pitch for the shorter formats.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH IS HASHMATULLAH SHAHIDI! Says that it was tough for him in the first Test but thanks the coaching staff for believing in him. Adds that he spent time in the middle and that's why he managed to get a big score. Calls it a big achievement for himself to get a double century. Wants to take more responsibility as a senior player and tells that he will try to repeat a similar performance in future as well.

It was a tough wicket to bowl on, especially on the first two days. The African bowlers struggled for any assistance on a batting paradise as the Afghan batsmen feasted on them. As the day progressed, there was some turn on offer and the spinners from Afghanistan joined the party. It was more of a team effort in the first innings by them as Rashid Khan got partners to support him. In the second innings though, the Afghan maestro did the bulk of the damage and finished with 11 wickets in the match. Stay tuned for the presentation...

Zimbabwe responded with a good start in their first innings with the bat but the middle order failed to stand up, barring Sikandar Raza. They were asked to follow-on by Afghanistan and the picture didn't change much for them as this time around the top order also failed to add runs, although they managed to spend some time in the middle. It could have been game over for them on Day 4 itself but Sean Williams once again led from the front with a refreshing century and his valuable partnership with Donald Tiripano pushed the Test match into the final day. The pair continued their marathon alliance this morning as well and got the record for the best 8th wicket stand in Tests for Zimbabwe (187 runs). He eventually was left stranded on 151 as his team got bundled out, setting a target of 108 runs.

End of a fantastic Test match! Unlike the first one, it was a batting bonanza. Afghanistan left the disappointment of an embarrassing batting show behind and put up a gigantic total in the first innings. It was a total effort from the top half of their batting unit. Ibrahim Zadran was exceptional as he continued his good form and then there were a couple of historic moments - A triple-century stand between Asghar Afghan and Hashmatullah Shahidi, and then the maiden Test double hundred for an Afghanistan batsman as the latter etched his name in history.

A comfortable win in the end for Afghanistan! There were a few hiccups after the Tea break but their victory was never in question. Rahmat Shah upped his scoring rate in the evening session and scored briskly to hit a half-century. All in all, a target of 108 is achieved without much discomfort.

THERE IT IS! Jamal hits the winning run! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through square leg for one. AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 6 WICKETS!

FOUR! SCORES LEVEL! Shahidi brings out the slog sweep, it is with the turn. He drags it from outside off and over the mid-wicket fielder for a boundary.

Tosses it up on off, Shahidi defends it.

Off the mark straightaway! On the pads, this is worked fine on the leg side for two.

Hashmatullah Shahidi, the double ton scorer walks out to bat!

OUT! TIMBER! Six and out for Shah! Burl gets another wicket! Shorter and on middle, this one stays low as it skids on off the surface. Shah looks to whip it on the leg side by going on the back foot but misses and the stumps are shattered. You cannot do that on a Day 5 pitch.

SIX! Finally some sign on intent! Shah comes down the track, he does not get to the pitch of it but still hits it over the long off fence for a biggie. Just 7 runs away now.

Tossed up on off, pushed off the front foot to point for a single.