Debutant Nasir's seven wickets not enough as Afghanistan trail by 180 in Sharjah Test
Afghanistan are under pressure at the end of day two of the second Test in Sharjah. Debutant spinner Nasir Khan Marufkhil's superb seven-wicket haul bowled Zimbabwe out for 339 in the first innings, but in reply the hosts reached only 159 for six in 48 overs by stumps, trailing by 180 runs.
Zimbabwe resumed the second day at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on 250 for five. Batter Brendan Taylor, who had ended the previous day unbeaten four runs short of a century, completed those four runs to reach his hundred. He was dismissed for 119 off 217 balls. Innocent Kaia made 96 and Ben Curran 44.
Nasir's bowling, however, triggered a late collapse for the visitors. The debutant spinner took seven wickets for 151 runs, while Ziaur Rahman claimed two. Zimbabwe were eventually all out for 339 in 114.5 overs, with Brad Evans unbeaten on 32.
Afghanistan's reply began badly, losing their first two wickets within 27 runs. Rahmanullah made 34, while Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah scored 30 each. But wickets fell at regular intervals, preventing the hosts from building a big total.
For Zimbabwe, Blessing Muzarabani took three wickets and Vincent Masekesa two. Afghanistan ended the day with Afsar Zazai unbeaten on 33 and Nasir Khan Marufkhil on 3.
