Afghanistan secured victory on Monday against Zimbabwe in their second test match, winning by 72 runs in just 15 balls at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. 

Rashid Khan played a key role, claiming 7-66 and helping Afghanistan clinch the series. 

This marks Afghanistan's fourth test win since obtaining test status in 2017.

Zimbabwe was all out for 205 without adding to their overnight score, losing the final two wickets in a quick 13 minutes.

Richard Ngarava's run-out in the day's second over, due to confusion with skipper Craig Ervine, set the tone. 

Ervine fell in the next over, trapped leg before wicket by Rashid Khan's decisive leg-spin, culminating in figures of 7-66. 

Khan's performance on Sunday shifted momentum when Zimbabwe was poised for victory at 157-4, chasing 278.

The first test in Bulawayo ended in a draw, but Afghanistan's win secured their fourth test victory, two coming against Zimbabwe, since acquiring test status in 2017. 

Afghanistan’s cricket team will face Zimbabwe in the second Test of their series on Thursday at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The match is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. Kabul time.

The first test ended in a draw, with both teams showcasing exceptional batting performances. Zimbabwe set an imposing target with a first-innings score of 586, putting Afghanistan under pressure. However, Afghanistan’s batsmen responded brilliantly, led by the remarkable efforts of Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi.

Shah delivered a stunning innings, scoring 234 runs from 434 balls, while Shahidi went on to notch an even more impressive 246 runs from 474 balls. Both players achieved double centuries, creating a memorable display of resilience and skill. Afsar Zazai further bolstered Afghanistan’s batting lineup, contributing a solid 113 runs from 169 balls.

Although both sides amassed significant runs, the game ended without a result. Persistent rain interruptions and a deliberate pace of play from both teams hindered progress, ultimately preventing a decisive outcome.

The upcoming match presents another opportunity for both teams to push for victory and showcase their talent on the test stage.

Afghanistan amassed their highest score of 699 on Monday before the first test against Zimbabwe ended in a draw at the end of the final day at the Queens Sports Club.

Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, batting for a third successive day, scored 246 to reclaim the record test score for an Afghani batsman after Rahmat Shah was dismissed for 234 late on the fourth day on Sunday, Reuters reported.

Hashmatullah held the record with his unbeaten 200 against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi in 2021 but Rahmat bettered it in Bulawayo before Hashmatullah claimed his record back in the same innings.

Afghanistan resumed on the last day on 515-3 and saw Afsar Zazai score a maiden test century before being caught for 113.

That wicket set off a slump in their batting as they lost their last seven wickets for 60 runs with part-time offspinner Brian Bennett claiming 5-95.

Zimbabwe were 65 without loss at tea as they began their second innings but, amid a rain delay, then lost four quick wickets but rallied to 142-4 when the two captains shook hands and agreed to end play shortly before the scheduled close.

Zimbabwe’s first innings score of 586 was also a record test tally for them, bettering the 563-9 which they made against West Indies in Harare in 2001.