Seven-wicket Rashid leads Afghanistan to Test series win over Zimbabwe

In the second innings, Rashid Khan, a star leg spinner, took seven wickets for Afghanistan, who had just 15 balls to win the 72-run victory over Zimbabwe on the final day of their second Test.

At the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Monday, Zimbabwe were dismissed for 205 runs, with captain Craig Ervine taking the final wicket as the hosts failed to improve their overnight lead and lost their final two wickets in only 13 minutes.

Before the match’s winner, Rashid trapped Zimbabwe’s top scorer Ervine (53 runs off 103 balls), who was then thrown out for three before taking 11 wickets.

Throughout a match that was repeatedly interrupted by rain, Rashid tormented Zimbabwe.

The 26-year-old deflected attention from himself after receiving the player of the match award, praising second-innings centurions Rahmat Shah (139) – named player of the series – and debutant Ismat Alam (101) instead.

He cited the tourists’ 86-run deficit after the first innings as the reason why they returned to the game.

“Ismat did a fantastic job of letting go of the disappointment of not winning in his first inning. He suffered a broken leg during the second inning for his country, but he persevered.

” I am recovering from back surgery so taking 11 wickets was very encouraging. It was all about adapting to the conditions, which initially favoured the bowlers, then the batters. “

The first test, also in Bulawayo, ended in a high-scoring draw.