Chevrons lose Test series to Afghanistan

ZIMBABWE fell to defeat in the second and final Test against Afghanistan on the final day at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday, with the visitors wrapping up the match in just 15 balls to claim a 72-run win.

The win in the inaugural New Year’s Test meant Afghanistan secured the two-match Test series one-nil after the first Boxing Day Test ended in a draw. Chasing 278 for victory, the Chevrons were dismissed for 205 without adding to their overnight score, losing their last two wickets in just 13 minutes of play.

The dramatic finish was orchestrated by Afghanistan’s star bowler Rashid Khan, who delivered an impressive performance with figures of seven wickets for 66 runs. With 78 runs required for victory, Zimbabwe, who only had two wickets in hand, pinned their hopes on Ervine who was looking to add to his overnight score of 53 runs.

Rashid Khan, right, finished with career-best figures of 7 for 66 in the second innings as Afghanistan beat the Chevrons who are captained by Craig Ervine, left, in the second Test which ended in Bulawayo yesterday.

But one of the tailenders, Richard Ngarava, was out in the second over of the morning after being run out following a mix-up with Ervine while attempting a risky single. Blessing Muzarabani, the last man in, survived Rashid’s first over, but in the next over, Ervine, aiming to keep Zimbabwe’s hopes alive, was trapped leg-before-wicket by Rashid.

The decision, which appeared marginal, sealed Zimbabwe’s fate as Afghanistan celebrated a hard-fought series victory. Ervine’s valiant knock of 53 off 103 balls, including a six and four boundaries, stood out in a disappointing batting display.

Despite his best efforts, the Zimbabwe captain could not steer his side to an improbable win after the first Test, also in Bulawayo, ended in a high-scoring draw. Ervine was magnanimous in defeat, but admitted the Chevrons could have done better, especially in their first innings.

“There were definitely times in the game we could have capitalised properly, but we could not. “We could have pushed that (first-innings lead) further. Certain areas we could have done better, Afghanistan played much better (than us in this game),” said Ervine.

“Going back to the first innings, getting them out for 150-odd, that was our opportunity to get above 300-350 and grow that lead.

“A lot of credit needs to go to Rahmat and Izmat who brought the team (Afghanistan) back, and then Rashid with a seven-for. That was outstanding.” Ervine also praised his teammates for their spirited efforts despite the old batting woes coming back to haunt them yet again.

“There were really promising signs for us. It is really good that we are playing a lot of cricket and hopefully that continues. “There are lots of positives to take for a lot of guys. It has not been easy, only having two days between the tests has been hard, but I am really proud of the way they stuck to their task,” he added.