The 2nd International Test match of the Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2021 series was played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi from Mar 10, Wed - Mar 14, Sun 2021. That was a nice opportunity for Zim to win the test series, on the other hand, Rashid Khan back in the playing 11 to strengthen the Afghanistan bowling attack because bowlers play a key role in the victory of test matches. Afghanistan came out to the middle with the five changes and included two debutant Shahidullah Kamal, who is an all-rounder, and Sayed Shirzad. The Zimbabwe captain decided to come out to the ground with his last winning team. The Afghanistan captain won the toss and decided to have the bat in hand first.
In the first inning of Afghanistan, Ibrahim Zadran and Javed Ahmadi came out to the middle, and Blessing Muzarabani got the new ball in hand to open the attack. Afghanistan lost some early wickets of Javed Ahmadi and Rahmat Shah at the low score of 56 runs only. Javed Ahmadi was dismissed by Victor Nyauchi and Rahmat Shah was run out by Musakanda & Chakabva. The Afghanistani batsmen felt some pressure after losing 2 wickets and then Hashmatullah Shahidi came on the crease to join Ibrahim Zadran. Ibrahim Zadran tried well and scored 72 runs for his team but could not stay longer and was sent back by Ryan Burl at 121 runs. Afterward, Asghar Afghan and Hashmatullah Shahidi played an incredible inning and built up a significant partnership of 327 runs. The unbeaten 200 runs of Hashmatullah Shahidi and 164 runs of Asghar Afghan helped Afghanistan to reach 545. Hashmatullah Shahidi struck his first unbeaten 200 runs in his 5th Test match and that was his highest score. Asghar Afghan also made his debut century of his Test match career. The captain declared the inning at the score of 545 in which unbeaten 55 runs of Nasir Jamal were also included. Zimbabwe bowlers did not have enough success and surrendered in the first inning.
In the first inning of Zimbabwe, Prince Masvaure and Kevin Kasuza were sent to the crease and Sayed Shirzad got the new ball in hand. Both the openers gave a convenient start and had made an opening partnership of 91 runs. The worldwide famous leg spinner Rashid Khan got the first breakthrough of Kevin Kasuza in 30.1 overs. Tarisai Musakanda came to join Prince Masvaure after the dismissal. Prince Masvaure was looking well with the bat but could not stay longer and clean bowled by Amir Hamza at the score of 133. Zim batsmen struggled against the Afghan bowlers and could not stand back that’s why wickets started falling at regular intervals. Sikandar Raza at the number 6 position tried well and made 80 runs but did not get enough support from others and the team could put a total of 287 runs at the loss of 10 wickets in 91.3 overs. Rashid Khan again proved that he is one of the best spinners and took 4 important wickets, Amir Hamza and Sayed Shirzad got 3,2 wickets respectively.
In the second inning of Zim’s following on, again Prince Masvaure and Kevin Kasuza opened the inning and Sayed Shirzad got the new ball in hand. Zimbabwe lost both openers at the score of 46 runs. Prince Masvaure was caught & bowled by Javed Ahmadi while Kevin Kasuza was sent back by Rashid Khan. Sean Williams played a captaincy unbeaten inning of 151 runs but he could not get enough support from other batsmen except for Donald Tiripano who contributed 95 runs for his team that helped Zimbabwe to reach 365 runs. Sean Williams struck his 4th century along with his highest score. The whole batting lineup of Zimbabwe could not handle the spin attack especially Rashid Khan, he took 7 wickets in the 2nd inning. Afghanistan got the target of 108 runs to win the 2nd Test of the Afg vs ZIM series 2021.
In the second inning of Afghanistan, Javed Ahmadi and Ibrahim Zadran came out to the middle to chase the target, and Blessing Muzarabani got the responsibility of the new ball. Afghanistan lost the first wicket of Javed Ahmadi at the score of 8 runs only but Afghanistani batsmen did not face many problems in achieving the target as it was not so big. Rahmat Shah contributed 58 runs and completed his 3rd International Test Fifty.
Afghanistan won the 2nd test match of Afg and WI series 2021 by 6 wickets and level the series by 1-1. The series was tied and both the captains shared the trophy. Hashmatullah Shahidi was named Man of the Match and Sean Williams got the Man of the Series title. Rashid Khan again impressed everybody with his incredible talent and took 11 wickets in the match and became the highest wicket-taker in the series.