Uncover the details of Rashid Khan’s outstanding contributions that led Afghanistan to a 72-run triumph in Bulawayo, marking a significant achievement in cricket history.
Introduction
A Bulawayo Test match defined by grit, resilience, and sheer brilliance from Rashid Khan will always be remembered for Afghanistan’s victory over Zimbabwe in a thrilling match. The leg-spinner’s haul of 11 wickets, which included a career-best 7 for 66 in the second innings, sealed the dramatic come-from-behind victory for Afghanistan.
See also: Zimbabwe Capitalizes on Afghanistan’s Batting Collapse: Bulawayo Test
This victory sealed the two-match series for Afghanistan, taking it 1-0 after a high-scoring draw in the first Test, which was another chapter of dominance against Zimbabwe across all three formats.
Day Five Drama: Rashid Delivers
The final day began with Zimbabwe needing 73 runs with two wickets in hand and all hopes resting on captain Craig Ervine. Afghanistan, led by Rashid Khan, required just two wickets to clinch victory.

A Chaotic Start
The day began with Rashid bowling to Zimbabwe’s No. 10, Richard Ngarava. Four balls into the over, Rashid induced a mistimed slice, resulting in a high catch opportunity. However, a collision of focus between Hashmatullah Shahidi and Fareed Ahmad led to a dropped catch, allowing Ngarava a brief reprieve.
Ngarava, however couldn’t capitalize on the miss. Brilliant throw from Shahidullah caught him short of his ground shortly after and Zimbabwe hopes rested solely on Ervine.

Moment of Magic from Rashid
Back coming for his third over of the day, given that Ervine was on strike and Zimbabwe added to their overnight, Rashid up gave him two short deliveries before over-pitching one that curled sharply into him. The captain of Zimbabwe then missed an attempt at a sweep and was felled in front.
Umpire Ahsan Raza’s delayed decision sent Ervine back for 53, sealing a famous win for Afghanistan. Without DRS, Zimbabwe had no way to challenge the call, leaving Rashid and his teammates celebrating a hard-fought victory.

A Complete Performance by Afghanistan
Batting Resurgence: Afghanistan’s victory was based on a great comeback after being behind by 86 runs in the first innings. Centuries from Rahmat Shah and debutant Ismat Alam anchored the second innings, giving Afghanistan a good lead.

Rashid Khan also scored crucial runs, scoring 25 and 23 in both innings, proving his value as a true all-rounder.
Rashid Khan’s Dominance
The bowling performance of Rashid was the highlight of the match. His haul of 4 for 94 in the first innings prevented Zimbabwe from getting an upper hand. His heroics in the second innings were enough to break the batting lineup of Zimbabwe. His figures of 7 for 66 in the final innings are a career-best, which reiterates his status as one of the world’s premier Test bowlers.
Series Significance
Afghanistan’s 1-0 series win against Zimbabwe marks their growing prowess in Test cricket. With victories in Dehradun, Chattogram, Abu Dhabi, and now Bulawayo, Afghanistan continues to assert themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the longest format.

This win is particularly significant as it highlights Afghanistan’s ability to perform under pressure, with contributions from both seasoned players like Rahmat Shah and emerging talents like Ismat Alam.
Key Takeaways
Rashid Khan: The Game Changer – Rashid’s exceptional bowling and all-round contributions cement his position as Afghanistan’s match-winner. His ability to deliver under pressure remains unparalleled.
Team Resilience Afghanistan’s fightback after trailing in the first innings demonstrates their mental toughness and depth, crucial for their development in Test cricket.
Zimbabwe’s Missed Opportunity
Despite a valiant effort from Craig Ervine, Zimbabwe’s inability to capitalize on their first-innings lead and the absence of DRS proved costly.
Looking Ahead
This has been a statement of dominance from Afghanistan over Zimbabwe across formats. With more matches against stronger opponents in the offing, Afghanistan will look to build on this momentum.
The Zimbabwean team realized that there are areas that they need to work on, particularly batting consistency and fielding under pressure, from this series.
Rashid Khan’s 11-wicket haul and the resilience of Afghanistan ensured a memorable win in Bulawayo, which marked another milestone in their cricketing journey. As Afghanistan continues to make strides in Test cricket, this victory reminds them of their growing stature in the game.