[Match Thread] Zimbabwe XI vs Afghanistan

[Sir Mupariwa]

they should push the lead to at least 270 and give Afghan 60 overs to get it at 4.5 an over, its risky though given our weak bowling attack but we have to be positive

[maehara]

Zimbabwe XI 296/7, according to CricketEurope.

[maehara]

Zimbabwe XI 365/8 at lunch, according to CricketEurope.

[maehara]

Zim XI lead by 288 with 2 wickets in hand & 2 sessions to go. Draw most likely, but only taking 3pts from the match would be disappointing. Wonder if Zim have the guts to risk those 3pts and push for a win?

Afghanistan would take 9pts from a draw (3 for a drawn match, plus 6 for their first-innings lead).

[maehara]

Zim XI: 401/8

[maehara]

Zim XI 446/9 declared
Afghanistan 8/0

[Train Driver]

A much bigger score than it looked as though it was going to be from 102-5, 179 added today so, hopefully, that means a good hundred for Forster Mutizwa. I really hope that the selectors find their collective senses and ink, not pencil but ink, this young man in as a permanent member of the national side.

It would be nice if a few rabbits could be pulled out of the hat this afternoon to produce a Zim win against the run of play, i expect it's more likely to end in a draw though, which is much, much, much better than a defeat to Afghanistan.

[maehara]

Afghanistan 103/1. Ahmad Shah out for 36, Noor Ali 57*. 22 overs remaining, Afghanistan require another 269 to win.

[maehara]

Notable knocks from Zim's second innings:
Tatenda Taibu 120
Trevor Garwe 117
Forster Mutizwa 56
...and Extras 44

[maehara]

Afghanistan 127/2. 15 overs to go.