At the start of the second Test of the Abu Dhabi Sunshine series, Rashid Khan was restored to the Afghanistan line up following a finger injury sustained playing in the PSL.
What followed was the sternest fitness test imaginable. Between Thursday afternoon and Sunday morning, he bowled 596 deliveries – the most in a Test match since Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan took 16 wickets to beat England at The Oval in 1998.
Afghanistan’s champion leg-spinner might be feeling more battered than he ever did when he was injured. But at least he will also have the warm glow of satisfaction after helping inspire a series-levelling win at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.
He ended Zimbabwe’s back-to-back innings with 11 wickets for 275 from his 99.2 overs. The seven he picked up in the second innings finally ended the doggedness of the away side on 365, meaning the Afghans needed 108 to win on the final afternoon.
It was a trickier chase than it might have been. Afghanistan were eyeing an innings win after forcing Zimbabwe to follow on, then reducing them to 142-7.
They were held up by a courageous rearguard from Zimbabwe, led by Sean Williams and Donald Tiripano.
Not much was expected of Tiripano when he walked out to bat at No 9. Not only did he pass 50 for the first time in Test cricket, he ended up just five short of what would have been a well-deserved maiden ton.
His alliance with his captain lasted 425 balls, and at 187 runs was a record for the eighth wicket in Zimbabwe’s Test history.
Rashid is used to bowling in the UAE. His effort in one Test here dwarfed the 64 overs he bowled for Sunrisers Hyderabad while playing the entirety of the IPL last season.
The one player neither he nor any of the Afghan bowlers was able to dislodge was Williams.
Zimbabwe’s captain really did not deserve to be on the losing side. Following on from centuries in his two previous Tests, including one that set up the victory in the first game, he made his career best score this time around.
He finished undefeated on 151 when Zimbabwe were finally all out for 365. Although Zimbabwe took four wickets, Rahmat Shah set up victory with a half century, and Nasir Jamal hit the winning run off Blessing Muzabarani.
“Rashid Khan was not totally fit, but every time he [plays he] shows his talent,” Asghar Afghan, Afghanistan’s captain said.
“He always wants to come and do something for his country. Bowling like this after a broken finger, I want to give a lot of credit to Rashid Khan.”
Williams was named player of the series for his back to back centuries, and he said he was proud of the way his players battled to the last hour of the series.
“I thought it was a fantastic fight by our guys, and I’d like to commend them for that fight,” Williams said.
