Williams, Tiripano lead Zimbabwe fightback despite Rashid five-for

ABU DHABI- Skipper Sean Williams and Donald Tiripano shared a crucial century stand as Zimbabwe finished day four on 266/7, with a lead of eight runs.

Zimbabwe were forced to follow-on after being dismissed for 287 in the first innings on the previous day. They resumed day four on 24/0, with openers Kevin Kasuza and Prince Masvaure at the crease. The opening duo seemed to be in good touch adding 20 runs to the existing total. Their promising stand came to an end as Masvaure returned a full toss straight to Javed Ahmadi. Rashid Khan in the very next over, struck to send back Kasuza for 30.

Skipper Sean Williams joined Tarisai Musakanda in the middle and the duo managed to stitch together an important 55-run second-wicket stand. It was Rashid again who brought an end to the solid partnership, dismissing Muskanda lbw with his trademark googly. Wesley Madhevere failed to make an impact as he fell prey to Sayed Shirzad for a duck in the very next over. Sikandar Raza looked to replicate his first innings performance, as he, alongside Williams, built a brief 38-run partnership before falling to to Rashid in the 61st over.

Rashid continued to pose problems for Zimbabwe as he picked up two more wickets, completing his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Captain Williams showcased his resilience as he continued to reduce the deficit for Zimbabwe. Williams found the support of Donald Tripano as they combined for a partnership of 124 runs spanning 43 overs troubling the Afghanistan bowling attack. Zimbabwe have their work cut out for day 5, they will have to be wary of Rashid’s threat if they want to put up a defendable score.

Scorecard

AFGHANISTAN 1ST INNINGS: 545-4 dec

ZIMBABWE 1ST INNINGS: 287

ZIMBABWE 2ND INNINGS:

(OVERNIGHT: 24-0):

Prince Masvaure c and b Ahmadi….. 15

Kevin Kasuza c Rahmat b Rashid….. 30

Tarisai Musakanda lbw b Rashid…… 15

Sean Williams not out………………. 106

W Madhevere c Zazai b Shirzad……… 0

Sikandar Raza c Jamal b Rashid…… 22

Ryan Burl lbw b Rashid……………….. 0

Regis Chakabva lbw b Rashid……….. 0

Donald Tiripano not out…………….. 63

EXTRAS: (b8, lb6, w1)………………… 15

TOTAL: (7 wkts, 106 overs)………… 266

FOW: 1-44, 2-46, 3-101, 4-102, 5-140, 6-140, 7-142. 

BOWLING: Shirzad 19-4-35-1 (1w), Rashid 43-10-105-5, Hamza 26-6-70-0, Ahmadi 16-5-40-1, Shahidullah 1-0-1-0, Asghar 1-0-1-0. 

TOSS: Afghanistan

UMPIRES: Aleem Dar, Ahmed Shah

TV UMPIRE: Ahmed Shah Durrani

MATCH REFEREE: Ranjan Madugalle