ICC Intercontinental Cup and Shield

ZIMBABWE XI v AFGHANISTAN The match was of particular interest because it would show how the standard of what was effectively a Zimbabwe second eleven would compare with the top level of Affiliate cricket, and how Afghanistan, after their rapid rise through the World Cricket League from Division 5 to Division 1, would fare at first-class cricket. Although the match ended in a draw, it produced very positive answers to both issues. Perhaps taking a cautious view, Afghanistan’s captain chose to field first on winning the toss and, when Friday Kasteni and Tendai Chisoro were victims of Dawlat Ahmadzai with the score on 45, the decision looked justified. Unfortunately, injury then forced Dawlat Ahmadzai to retire from the attack and the visitors came up against Tatenda Taibu, the most experienced player in the home side. Known for his aggressive batting, he did not disappoint. All Afghanistan’s bowlers suffered from his onslaught of 26 fours in an innings of 172, made at a strike rate of 81.5 over a period of four hours and a quarter. Overall, the Afghan attack went for over four runs an over. Unfortunately for Zimbabwe, no one else was able to provide much support although Trevor Garwe helped with a sixth-wicket stand of 124. Mohammad Nabi was the best of the bowlers, picking up three wickets with his off spin. Afghanistan batted patiently for the rest of the day to finish on 33 without loss. The second day began Afghanistan’s way with the opening partnership being extended to 149 before Ahmed Shah became the first victim of Timycen Maruma’s off spin. Noor Ali and Mohammad Shahzad added a further 76 runs and the former passed his hundred on first-class debut, eventually falling to the spin of Tafadzwa Kamungozi for an impressive 130 with 22 fours and two sixes. Mohammad Shahzad and Nawroz Mangal continued the run accumulation and the Afghans looked in complete control at tea with the score on 273 for two. The perseverance of Zimbabwe’s spin bowlers paid off after the break as they took five wickets for only 84 runs, the Afghan middle order being unable to take the innings forward to a big lead. At the close, the lead was eight runs but with only three wickets in hand. The first part of the third day belonged to Mohammad Nabi. Not out overnight, he went on to a splendid hundred at a strike rate of 73.3 with thirteen fours and two sixes. Although he dominated the run-scoring of the eighth-wicket partnership of 70 runs, the contribution of Dawlat Ahmadzai, who batted for one hour and thirteen minutes for his six runs was absolutely vital. This was demonstrated as soon as Mohammad Nabi was dismissed and the final two wickets fell without any addition to the score. Maruma finished with a return of six for 106. With a useful lead of 77, Afghanistan consolidated their hold on the game by taking three Zimbabwean wickets for 43. Taibu again came to the rescue with another superb display. He found a partner in Forster Mutizwa and, together, they put on 165 for the sixth wicket. In the last over of the day, however, Taibu was bowled by Dawlat Ahmadzai, coming back into the attack despite his earlier injury. There were no sixes this time but there were sixteen fours in his 120, made at a more restrained strike rate of 61.2. The partnership was enough to give Zimbabwe a healthy lead of 190 at the close. Mutizwa did not add to his overnight score but Trevor Garwe took advantage of an ever-tiring Afghan attack to amass 117 at a strike rate of 95.9. With useful contributions from Kamungozi and Chris Mpofu, Zimbabwe extended their innings to 446, ensuring that they would not lose the match, before declaring. With a target of 370 virtually impossible in the time remaining, Afghanistan batted sensibly. Another century opening stand made certain that the match would be drawn, but play continued long enough to allow Noor Ali to reach another hundred and become the fourth player to make two centuries in the same match on first-class debut. Once this had been achieved, the two captains agreed to end the game. 186 ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10