Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan Cricket Live Score, 2nd Test Day 3 (Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard):
Hello and welcome to our coverage of Day 3 of the second and final Test between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan taking place at the Queen Sports Club in Bulawayo on Saturday.
The visitors will hope to stitch together a big partnership and the onus will be on the in-form Rahmat Shah to take charge and help Afghanistan take a significant lead. Zimbabwe on the other hand aims to make quick work of the opposition’s batting unit to give them the best chance of taking the win and thereby the series.
Sikandar Raza will continue his stellar form with the ball after an absolute peach of a delivery that got the better of the Afghanistan captain yesterday. The spinners could have something on offer which is a big plus for the 38-year-old all-rounder.
The weather could affect the day’s play, with showers expected in and around the final session as shown in AccuWeather’s forecast. The overcast conditions later on in the day could also be a big plus for the quick bowlers.
Zimbabwe Playing XI: Joylord Gumbie (wk), Ben Curran, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Dion Myers, Craig Ervine (c), Brian Bennett, Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani
Afghanistan Playing XI: Riaz Hassan, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Afsar Zazai (wk), Ismat Alam, Shahidullah Kamal, Rashid Khan, Zia-ur-Rehman, Yamin Ahmadzai, Fareed Ahmad Malik
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As the game heads into day three, Afghanistan still trails by 40 runs with only seven wickets remaining. Rahmat Shah remains at the crease, shouldering the responsibility of guiding his team to a competitive total. Zimbabwe will aim to seize control on day three by taking early wickets and tightening their grip on the match. Exciting times ahead as we move closer to the start of play on Day 3.
Zimbabwe has dominated the opening two days of play, outperforming Afghanistan in all aspects. The hosts bowled out Afghanistan for a modest 157 runs in the first innings. In response, Zimbabwean batters capitalized on the momentum, scoring 243 themselves. This 86-run lead had given Zimbabwe a significant advantage. Their bowlers in the second inning once again ran through the visitor’s top order, leaving them 46 for 3 at the end of the second day’s play.
… Day 3, Session 1 …
14.6 – On middle. Kept out.
Batsman_1 : Zia-ur-Rehman 0(3)
Batsman_2 : Rahmat Shah 18(34)
Bowler : Brian Bennett 0/1(1)
Over : 15
Run : 3
Wicket : 0
Score : 46/3
Earlier in the day, the Afghanistan bowlers fought back strongly and had Zimbabwe in trouble at 119 for 6. Ervine and Williams though batted brilliantly and helped their side take a decent lead. In reply, Zimbabwe have managed to get three wickets and they still lead by 40. They would hope they can continue taking wickets on Day 3. Afghanistan on the other hand, need a couple of partnership. Their first aim though will be to get past the deficit without any damage. Day 3 could indicate big time as to which way the game heads. Do join us for it. Till then, goodbye and take care!
After taking a lead of just over 80, they got around 15 overs to bowl to Afghanistan and they have managed to get three big wickets in those many overs. Blessing Muzarabani got two and Raza got the big wicket of Shahidi.
The umpires get together, have a chat and then decide the light is not good enough and off they go! That will be STUMPS and it is a day dominated by the hosts! They are in a very good position in this game.
14.5 – Two! On the pads. The batter looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad and rolls down to fine leg. Two taken.
14.4 – Fuller and on off. This is pushed to cover for one.
14.3 – On the stumps. Kept out.
14.2 – On middle. This is pushed back to the bowler.
14.1 – Around off. This is pushed to cover.
13.6 – Going down leg! Angled into the pads. The batter misses the defensive stroke and is hit on the pads.
Batsman_1 : Zia-ur-Rehman 0(1)
Batsman_2 : Rahmat Shah 17(30)
Bowler : Sikandar Raza 1/1(1)
Over : 14
Run : 1
Wicket : 1
Score : 43/3
13.5 – OUT! THAT IS A BEAUTY! Raza comes on and strikes! Gets the huge wicket. A beauty. This lands on middle and then spins away square. Shahidi looks to defend but is beaten and it hits the off pole. Afghanistan in huge trouble now.
13.4 – On the pads. This is worked through mid-wicket for one.
13.3 – On middle. Shah shows the full face of the bat and defends.
13.2 – On the pads. Shah works it to short fine leg.
13.1 – On the stumps. Kept out.
12.6 – On the stumps. This is kept out towards cover.
Batsman_1 : Hashmatullah Shahidi 13(25)
Batsman_2 : Rahmat Shah 16(26)
Bowler : Newman Nyamhuri 0/13(3)
Over : 13
Run : 0
Wicket : 0
Score : 42/2
12.5 – On the stumps. Angling away from off. Left alone.
12.4 – Back of a length and on off. Kept out.
12.3 – Outside off. Left alone.
12.2 – On the stumps. This is played to cover.
12.1 – Beaten! Fuller and outside off. Shahidi looks to drive but is beaten.
11.6 – On middle. Shahidi works it through mid-wicket for one.
Batsman_1 : Hashmatullah Shahidi 13(19)
Batsman_2 : Rahmat Shah 16(26)
Bowler : Blessing Muzarabani 2/17(6)
Over : 12
Run : 5
Wicket : 0
Score : 42/2
11.5 – FOUR! Pulled away! This is short and on middle. It is pulled through mid-wicket.
11.4 – On middle. Shahidi is solid in defense.
11.3 – On the stumps. This is punched to cover.
11.2 – On the stumps. Kept out.
11.1 – Around off. This is pushed to cover.
