Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, 2nd Test Match — Ball-by-Ball Commentary

Ball by Ball Commentary

• Update

  Teams:Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Innocent Kaia, Ben Curran, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett(c), Wessly Madhevere, Antum Naqvi, Tafadzwa Tsiga(w), Brad Evans, Graeme Cremer, Blessing Muzarabani, Vincent MasekesaAfghanistan (Playing XI): Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Rahmanullah Zadran, Rahmat Shah(c), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afsar Zazai, Ikram Alikhil(w), Naseer Khan Maroofkhil, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Yamin Ahmadzai, Ziaur Rahman SharifiNaseer Khan Maroofkhil is playing his first-ever Test match for Afghanistan today!

  6:01 AM
• Update

  Rahmat Shah Zurmatai | Afghanistan Captain: Frankly speaking, I wanted to bowl first.If I analyze the wicket and compare it to the one played in the first match, it looks different. This wicket has some grass on it, while the other one was completely flat. We will try our best and will try to bowl in right areas.The key is that it's important to analyze the situation and the conditions, and then to bowl as per the field and hit the right areas. As you know, if you take 20 wickets, you can win the match. We will try our best to do it.Yes, there have been three changes made.

  6:01 AM
• Update

  Pitch Report | By Tino Mawoyo and Naveen ul Haq: We have moved four pitches away from the one that we batted on. This is pitch number 6 of the day. As you can see from its appearance, it is completely different. Weather – maximum temperature 29 degrees, plus there is a breeze blowing on the pitch. The pitch has a completely different appearance with some green and lots of grass on top. There is moisture beneath the surface. It would be useful to play the first one hour of seaming.

  5:58 AM
• Update

  Brian Bennett | Zimbabwe Captain: Batting is up for us now. I believe that this pitch has a bit of grass on it, but it’s going to be hard for us to play our game in the fourth innings of the match.That’s what I believe too. It seems that there is more for the seamers. The last Test match did not have much, but this pitch has something for the quick bowlers. We’re really looking forward to playing the game now.Yes, I believe so too. We’re really happy with how we’ve played the match. Of course, we wanted to win the game, but it was difficult for us to get those 20 wickets.

  5:51 AM
• Update

  Toss: Zimbabwe have won the toss and have opted to bat first

  5:33 AM
• Update

  11:00am Ist / 9:30am LT: Greetings Mates! Hello and a very warm welcome to all the cricket lover's to the 1st Day of the 2nd Test Match between Afghanistan and Zimbabwe of the ongoing series of Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe in UAE 2026, straight from the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. I am Ansh Raj, along with my fellow scorers/analysts Ajit Kamti and Prakash Mandal, who will guide you through all the latest happenings of today’s game.

  5:22 AM
• Update

  Afghanistan Probable XI: Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Shahidullah Kamal, Rahmat Shah (c), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rahmanullah Zarma Khan, Qais Ahmad/Khalil Gurbaz, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi/Yamin Ahmadzai, Zia-ur-Rehman, Mohammad Saleem Safi Zimbabwe Probable XI: Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett (c), Brendan Taylor, Craig Ervine, Antum Amir Naqvi, Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Graeme Cremer, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani

  5:17 AM
• Update

  Head-to-Head in Tests:Matches Played: 6Afghanistan Won: 2Zimbabwe Won: 2 Drawn: 2

  5:16 AM
• Update

  Preview by Ansh RajThe two teams will be facing each other in the second and final Test of the ongoing series where the first Test concluded in a draw. The scorecard was 504 for Zimbabwe in their first innings, followed by 523 for 5 declared in the second innings, whereas, in return, Afghanistan scored 514 runs. Brendan Taylor made scores of 131 and 82, Craig Ervine played an unbeaten 206 runs, and Brian Bennett contributed with 128 runs in the first innings.From Afghanistan, Rahmat Shah made his best contribution as he scored 173 runs, followed by Rahmanullah Zadran with 113 and Sediqullah Atal with 105 runs. Both teams are tied in the series with no scorecard on either side, but now, as both teams have reached the final Test match, they will be aiming to get a win against each other.

  11:44 AM
• Update

  Squads:Afghanistan Squad: Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Rahmanullah Zadran, Rahmat Shah(c), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Shahidullah Kamal, Ikram Alikhil(w), Qais Ahmad, Zia-ur-Rehman Akbar, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, Ismat Alam, Khalil Gurbaz, Yamin Ahmadzai, Afsar ZazaiZimbabwe Squad: Innocent Kaia, Ben Curran, Brendan Taylor, Brian Bennett(c), Craig Ervine, Antum Naqvi, Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga(w), Graeme Cremer, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani, Vincent Masekesa, Brad Evans, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Ernest Masuku, Kundai Matigimu, Wellington Masakadza

  11:34 AM