Bulawayo, January 6, 2025: Afghanistan clinched a 72-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second Test to secure a 1-0 series win, thanks to an outstanding performance by leg-spinner Rashid Khan, who took seven wickets in the second innings.
Resuming play on the final day at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 205 in just 13 minutes, failing to add to their overnight total. Captain Craig Ervine, Zimbabwe’s top scorer with 53 runs off 103 balls, was the last to fall, trapped leg before by Rashid. Richard Ngarava was run out for three earlier in the morning. Rashid, named Player of the Match, finished with match figures of 11 wickets.
Despite his stellar performance, Rashid deflected praise, commending the efforts of second-innings centurions Rahmat Shah (139 runs) and debutant Ismat Alam (101 runs), who helped Afghanistan recover from an 86-run first-innings deficit. Shah was named Player of the Series.
“The way they performed in the second innings brought us back into the match,” said Rashid. “Ismat showed remarkable resilience after a first-innings duck and played through pain in the second innings for his country.”
Reflecting on his own performance, Rashid added, “Recovering from back surgery and taking 11 wickets was encouraging. It was all about adapting to conditions, which initially favored bowlers and later shifted toward the batters.”
The first Test, also held in Bulawayo, ended in a high-scoring draw. With this victory, Afghanistan has now won four of the 11 Tests they have played since gaining Test status in 2017, including two wins against Zimbabwe.
