With Afghanistan needing only two more wickets to secure a win, Zimbabwe’s hopes for survival on the final day rest on the shoulders of Craig Ervine and Richard Ngarava. The contest has been full of excitement, with Rashid Khan’s incredible bowling performance and Ismat Alam’s debut century creating a nail-biting scenario heading into Day 5.
Day 4 of the Test match in Harare was filled with drama, setting up an exciting end to the series between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. Afghanistan is just two wickets away from a well-deserved victory, while Zimbabwe faces the daunting task of scoring 73 more runs to win with only two batters remaining. Captain Craig Ervine is still at the crease, joined by tailender Richard Ngarava, and their partnership will determine Zimbabwe’s fate in this gripping encounter.
Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan match
Afghanistan dominated the fourth day, largely thanks to Rashid Khan’s outstanding bowling display. He claimed six wickets in the innings, delivering a game-changing performance. His impressive spell included removing Sikandar Raza, a key player for Zimbabwe, followed by the dismissals of Sean Williams and Brian Bennett, which plunged Zimbabwe into trouble. Zia-ur-Rehman also contributed significantly by dismissing Nyamhuri lbw, adding to Zimbabwe’s struggles.
By the end of Day 4, Zimbabwe was in deep trouble at 180 for 7, with a collapse triggered by Afghanistan’s relentless attack. Rashid Khan’s double strike late in the day was particularly crucial in pushing Zimbabwe closer to defeat. The match has been a rollercoaster of emotions, with moments of brilliance from both teams. As Day 5 approaches, all eyes are on Ervine and Ngarava, who must deliver an extraordinary performance to turn the tide in Zimbabwe’s favor.
ZIM vs AFG: As it happened
Earlier today, Afghanistan’s debutant Ismat Alam grabbed attention by scoring an impressive century, helping his team post a total of 363 runs. Ismat, known for his strong first-class average of 92, had already turned four half-centuries into centuries in domestic cricket. His knock of 101, which included 14 boundaries, was a remarkable comeback after being dismissed for a duck in his first international match. Afghanistan set Zimbabwe a challenging target of 278 runs to win.
Zimbabwe began their chase with confidence as Ben Curran and Joylord Gumbie scored quickly in the early overs. However, Afghanistan’s bowlers soon tightened their control, reducing the flow of runs and increasing pressure. Zia-ur-Rehman provided the first breakthrough by dismissing Gumbie, and Rashid Khan followed with an excellent spell, removing both Curran and Kaitano.
Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan test match
Despite these setbacks, Zimbabwe fought back through a steady partnership between captain Ervine and Raza. The pair added 58 runs, playing cautiously to frustrate Afghanistan’s bowlers. However, Rashid Khan’s persistence paid off when he dismissed Raza after a poor shot. Soon after, Williams and Bennett were dismissed in quick succession, leaving Zimbabwe in deep trouble.
ZIM vs AFG
Ervine showed great determination, scoring a fighting half-century in the second innings. However, Zimbabwe still faces a tough challenge, needing 73 more runs with only two wickets remaining. The big question is whether Ervine can lead his team to a dramatic finish.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, is just two wickets away from victory and sealing the series. With Rashid Khan in top form, the final day promises to be an exciting and tense contest.