Stumps Afghanistan 159 for 6 (Rahmanullah 34, Zazai 33*, Muzarabani 3-31) trail Zimbabwe 339 (Taylor 119, Kaia 96, Naseer 7-151) by 180 runs
Brendan Taylor's century and a late contribution from Brad Evans helped Zimbabwe post 339, before their bowlers reduced Afghanistan to 159 for 6 at stumps on the second day of the second Test in Sharjah. Afghanistan still trail by 180 runs with four wickets remaining.
Zimbabwe, who were 250 for 5 overnight, added 89 runs on Saturday before eventually being bowled out. Taylor, unbeaten on 96 on day one, brought up his century off 171 balls, with 12 fours and a six. He eventually fell for 119. Evans, at No. 8, struck 32 not out to help Zimbabwe extend their total.
But Afghanistan's debutant left-arm spinner Naseer Khan Maroofkhil was the standout bowler, adding three wickets to his four from the opening day. He dismissed Taylor early in the morning session when the batter missed a reverse sweep against a full delivery that struck him in front, giving Naseer his fifth wicket.
Naseer then struck twice in successive deliveries in the 110th over, trapping Graeme Cremer lbw before bowling Vincent Masekesa with a delivery that spun past his bat and hit off stump. He finished with 7 for 151, the second-best figures by an Afghanistan bowler on Test debut.
Afghanistan's reply, however, got off to a poor start with the bat as they slipped to 27 for 2 inside the first ten overs. They went to tea at 54 for 2, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz on 21 and Hashmatullah Shahidi on 13.
Afghanistan crossed 100 in the 27th over but lost wickets at regular intervals thereafter. They were 115 for 4 in the next hour before Afsar Zazai and Ikram Alikhil attempted to steady the innings. Afghanistan lost their fifth wicket at 136, and were reduced to six down by stumps. Zimbabwe's bowlers shared the wickets, with Blessing Muzarabani taking three and Masakesa claiming two.
Zazai remained unbeaten on 33, with Naseer on 3, as Zimbabwe ended the day firmly on top.