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Rashid Khan, playing in his first Test in three years, took 11 wickets against Zimbabwe to help Afghanistan to a series win.
Rashid Khan took a seven-wicket haul in the second innings. (Pic Credit: X/ACBofficials)
Playing in his first Test in three years, Afghanistan legspinner Rashid Khan led from the front with a match haul of 11 wickets as the visitors secured a 72-run win over Zimbabwe in the second match of the series that concluded in Bulawayo on Monday. Afghanistan thus won the series 1-0 after the opening Test ended in a drab draw.
The 26-year-old Rashid says he had belief in his abilities despite not touching the red ball for the longest time.
Rashid took 7/66 in the second innings and won player-of-the-match award.
“After three years, back in Test cricket, it was hard for me to come back from back surgery and play the longest format. It is a team effort, the way they (the batters) delivered with the bat in the second innings – that got us back (in the game),” Rashid said during the post-match presentation.
“I have not bowled much with the red ball, have not even touched it (in the last three years). Tried to have belief (in what I have been doing the last 10-12 years in international cricket). Does not matter if I am bowling quicker or slower, but more about the length I ball – that is what creates problems. I try to adjust to the conditions as quickly as I can,” he added.
Rashid skipped the series opener but played in the second Test – his first since March 2021.
He took a break from red-ball cricket following a back injury on the advice of his physicians.
He missed Afghanistan’s Test assignments against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Ireland due to a combination of rest and injury.
Afghanistan clinched the 1-0 series victory over Zimbabwe, after the first game ended in a high-scoring draw.
Rahmat Shah was chosen as player-of-the-series.
Debutant Ismat Alam scored a century in the second innings after being dismissed for a duck in the first of the second Test.
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi hailed the duo along with Rashid for their contributions in the win.
“Credit goes to the entire team, but especially to Rahmat, Izmat and Rashid. First of all, I will talk about Rahmat. He has always showed his talent when the team needs him. One of the best innings he has played in front of me. He (Izmat) has scored a lot of runs in First-Class cricket. We played a lot of First-Class cricket this year and that helped us to pick players, and made him mature,” said Shahidi.
With IANS Inputs
- Location :
Bulawayo (Zimbabwe)
