Afghanistan 1St Innings: 545/4 (Hashmatullah Shahidi 200*, Ashgar Afghan 164, Ibrahim Zadran 72, Nasir Jamal 55*) and 2nd Innings 108/4 ( Rahmat Shah 58, Ibrahim Zadran 29)
Zimbabwe Ist Innings: 287 All Out (Sikandar Raza 85, Kevin Kasuza 41, Tarisal Musakanda 41, Rashid Khan 4/138, Amir Hamza 3/ 73) and 2nd Innings 365 (Sean Williams 151*, Donald Tirpano 95, Rashid Khan 7/137) 
Afghanistan won by 6 wickets
Series Drawn: 1-1 
Player of the Match: Hashmatullah Shahidi 
Player Of The Series: Sean Williams 

Afghanistan shocked suffering a humiliating Innings defeat by Zimbabwe in the first test bounced back brilliantly winning the second test by 6 wickets. The two matches test series ended 1-1. Afghanistan scored 545/4 in the first innings. Zimbabwe got all out 287 in the first innings and was asked to follow on. Rashid mystery rocked to 7/142. With back to the wall Sean Williams (151*) and surprisingly tail ender Donald Tiripano (96) batted brilliantly on a turning wicket. Their 187 runs 8th wicket partnership led to Afghanistan requiring 108 in the fourth innings for winning the match. After some dramas Afghanistan managed to get passed scoring 108/4. 

Afghanistan and Zimbabwe are two of three toddlers among the big fishes in ICC Test family. Off course Afghanistan has started rocking as a rookie. Zimbabwe once very strong in the format are still trying to regain their glory. The teams played a two matches test series at UAE home away from home of Afghanistan. Zimbabwe surprising cricket world crushing Afghanistan minus their X-factor Rashid Khan by an innings defeat. It is very much expected that Afghanistan would bounce back in the second test at Abu Dhavi. Rashid was back. He glorified taking 12 wickets in the test and entered the record book for another reason. In the desert heat he bowled 99.2 Overs eclipsing the record of great Shane Warne. A few milestones were set. Afghanistan scored 545/4 in the first innings. Hashmatullah Shahidi scoring unbeaten 200 became the first Afghanistan batsman to score double century. Together with his captain Asghar Afghan (164) they scored 327 in the record setting 4th wicket partnership. Rashid took (4/138) was mostly instrumental in letting Zimbabwe following on. In the follow on Innings he bowled 62.5 overs taking 7/137. This was his second 10 wickets haul in only 5 tests.

At a time when India and England, West Indies and Srilanka are playing and New Zealand Just completed a T20 series against Australia very full admirers had time to follow the battle of minnows. But the fascinating test two toddlers played at Abu Dhavi has forced a minor cricket writer writing about it. The wicket was flat undoubtedly over the first two days. Afghanistan shell shocked through a humiliating first test defeat clinically exploited batting condition. A team which can only practice in India and most players play T20 franchise scoring 150 and 200 deserves lot of accolades. We have to admire Zimbabwe as well they way Williams batting with tail enders made it difficult for Afghans a little bit. What someone can write about X –Factor Rashid Khan. It's not only his wicket taking ability. Him bowling about 100 overs in the test in the heat and humidity was a brave effort. We are sure Afghanistan will soon start threatening table toppers of Test ranking as they play more and more tests.

BDST: 2056 HRS, MAR 14, 2021
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