Ervine fights but Rashid puts AFG on brink of series win

Rashid Khan stepped up when Afghanistan needed him to as Zimbabwe found themselves on the brink of losing the second Test and with that, the series as well, to the visitors. Rashid broke the back of the Zimbabwean middle order with a six-wicket haul, and if not for Craig Ervine's fighting half-century, Afghanistan would have already completed formalities by now. However, the Zimbabwean veteran has dragged this series into the final day with his side needing 73 runs for the win – a hard task given they have only two wickets in hand.

Afghanistan managed to add vital runs before Blessing Muzarabani got rid of Rashid, but Ismat Alam kept the home side at bay and managed to bring up a terrific hundred to stun Zimbabwe. His efforts dragged the lead to 277 – a commendable effort considering Afghanistan conceded a first innings lead of 86.

Zimbabwe made a positive start to the chase with the openers laying an ideal platform with a 43-run stand. However, Afghanistan started striking at regular intervals to storm back into the contest. Rashid bagged the big wicket of Ben Curran for 38 before adding two more to his tally to reduce the hosts to 99 for 4. Sikandar Raza then stood firm alongside Ervine to steady the ship as Zimbabwe slowly recovered.

Raza showed commendable application once again in this Test to follow up with his first-innings fifty. His patient 38 turned the tide once again before Rashid did his bit to stun the opposition. Raza hit one straight to cover to get dismissed and his wicket triggered a collapse. Sean Williams missed a slog sweep to get castled and two balls later, Rashid hit the timber again, this time to send Brian Bennett back to the pavilion.

Ervine took charge and opened up to find the boundary twice against Rashid before smashing Rehman for a six. Richard Ngarava managed to stay put at the other end as Ervine's aggressive approach resulted in him getting to his fifty before bad light ended play.

Brief scores:

• Zimbabwe: 243 & 205/8 (Craig Ervine 53*)
• Afghanistan: 157 & 363