Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe: Rashid Khan Fumes as Ngarava Delivers a Taste of Their Own Medicine to Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s leg spinner and captain Rashid Khan displayed visible frustration on Day 4 of the second Test between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. With Zimbabwe at 205/8, still requiring 73 runs to win, and Afghanistan needing just two wickets, a dramatic turn of events occurred. Richard Ngarava, a Zimbabwean bowler, suffered a calf injury during a crucial phase, leading to an interruption as the physio came onto the field. Rashid’s irritation was clear, especially with the timing of the injury, as it allowed the umpires to call stumps early due to poor light, prolonging the contest into Day 5.

This incident brought to mind Afghanistan’s controversial strategy in the 2024 ICC World Cup, where Gulbadin Naib’s cramp and extended medical break disrupted Bangladesh’s momentum. This time, Zimbabwe seemed to employ similar tactics, which added further drama to the game.

Earlier in the day, Afghanistan set Zimbabwe a challenging target of 278, with Ismat Alam scoring a gritty century and Rahmat Shah contributing 139. Zimbabwe’s chase faltered under Rashid’s brilliant spell, claiming a five-wicket haul. The stage is now set for an exciting Day 5, where both teams will be eager to clinch the series finale.