First Bulawayo Test heads towards drab draw as rain washes out two sessions on Day 4

Zimbabwe Team

Only one session of cricket was possible on Day 4 of the Boxing Day Test between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan as rain played a major role. There was a forecast for rain on all five days of the first Test. However, rain Gods were kind on the first three days as batters from both sides ruled the roost. However, after two sessions were wiped out due to rain on Sunday, December 29, the match seems destined for a drab draw.

Afghanistan started Day 4 at 425/2. While the Zimbabweans couldn’t take a single wicket on Day 3, they needed just 12 balls on Sunday to dismiss Rahmat Shah for a 424-ball 234. Debutant Newman Nyamhuri picked up his maiden Test wicket as he dismissed the right-handed batter with a full and wide delivery outside off-stump. Rahmat came onto the front foot and pushed at it away from his body. The outside edge flew to Ben Curran at gully.

However, the grind started once again for Blessing Muzarabani and Co. as wicketkeeper-batter Afsar Zazai forged a partnership with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi. The left-handed batter notched up his 150 off 297 deliveries.

Shahidi had to a take help from the physio for a brief while after he experienced pain on his right shoulder. A couple of overs later, the Zimbabwean physio came out to attend Joylord Gumbie’s right ankle. In the 150th over, Afghanistan brought up their 500 as Zimbabwe’s first innings total of 586 was in touching distance.

Zazai played a fine hand as he hit three fours and a six during his unbeaten knock of 46 off 87 balls. He stitched an 87-run partnership with Shahidi off 174 balls. The experienced batter was batting on 179 off 367 deliveries when rain stopped play. Only couple of overs of play was possible in the second session before the rain-induced halt. Afghanistan finished Day 4 at 515/3, trailing by just 71 runs.