Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2021, 2nd Test: Day 4 - Centurion Sean Williams And Patience Donald Tiripano Rescue Zimbabwe For The Day

Captain Sean Williams’ brilliant century and Donald Tiripano’s strong supportive batting helped Zimbabwe to avoid the innings defeat in the Test series decider against Afghanistan. However, they still have a huge task for the final day to save this Test match.

Starting the day on their overnight score of 24/0 in their follow on innings, Zimbabwe struggled most of the day but managed to score 266/7 at the stumps of the day. The Chevrons are now leading by 8 runs.

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe 2021, 2nd Test: Day 4 – Sean Williams and Donald Tiripano put unbroken century partnership after Rashid Khan’s dominating fifer

The opening batsmen Prince Masvaure and Kevin Kasuza 20 more runs this morning as they had the 44-runs partnership for that first wicket. But Javed Ahmadi and Rashid Khan took the wickets of Masvaure (15) and Kasuza (30) inside the five balls.

But then Tarisai Musakanda and captain Sean Williams fought hard and set up a strong third-wicket partnership. At lunch, Zimbabwe were batting on 90/2.

The second session of the day was totally for Afghanistan as Zimbabwe were in deep trouble to lose the Test by an innings. After the 55-run partnership for the third wicket, Musakanda was dismissed by Rashid Khan for 15 runs. Wesley Madhevere scored his third Test duck in a row as Sayed Shirzad sent him back to the pavilion in the next over.

While Zimbabwe fans had big hopes on the partnership between Williams and Sikandar Raza, it lasted for 38 runs as Rashid Khan dismissed Raza for 22 runs who three sixes in his 39-ball innings. During that partnership, Williams completed his 50 runs in 77 balls.

Meanwhile, the next batsmen Ryan Burl and Regis Chakabva scored ducks as Rashid took those wickets to complete his fourth 5-wicket haul in his Test career. At that stage, Zimbabwe were struggling on 142/7 as they were still trailing by 116 runs.

While the skipper Williams required strong support from the other end, Donald Tiripano brought that support. At tea, the Chevrons scored 170/7 as that eighth-wicket partnership managed to put 28 runs.

In the third session, Williams and Tiripano continued their fights and they didn’t lose their wickets till the end of the day as Zimbabwe managed to save them from an innings defeat. Tiripano completed his fifty in 114 balls while Williams reached the three-figure mark in 173 balls. At the stumps, while Tiripano scored 63 not out off 164 balls (11 fours), Williams scored 106 not out off 190 balls (9 fours and only six). Before the end of the day, Williams and Tiripano had the 124 runs partnership for the unbroken eighth wicket.

Rashid Khan finished the day with bowling figures of 43-10-105-5.

Brief Scores: Afghanistan – 545/4 decl. (Hashmatullah Shahidi 200*; Asghar Afghan 164, Ryan Burl 1/69)

Zimbabwe – 287 (Sikandar Raza 85, Prince Masvaure 65; Rashid Khan 4/138) & 266/7 (Sean Williams 106*, Donald Tiripano 63*; Rashid Khan 5/105)