Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe, 2nd Test: Sean Williams Century Dales Afghanistan’s Push for Win on Day 4

Captain Sean Williams scored a brilliant century and all-rounder Donald Tiripano scored a half-century to delay Afghanistan’s victory on the fourth day of the second Test match in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Williams was unbeaten 106 for his fourth Test century – third as captain and third in consecutive Tests – and Tiripano’s 63-run unbeaten innings saw Zimbabwe closing the day at 266-7 at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. This allows Zimbabwe to score just eight runs from three wickets, including the pair of Williams and Tiripano to preserve a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Zimbabwe won the first Test by ten wickets, that too in Abu Dhabi.

Leg-spinner Rashid Khan took his fourth five-wicket haul in five Tests in 5–105 with a series win to Afghanistan, but Williams and Tiripano stood firm.

Rashid and the other bowlers were reduced to zero after Zimbabwe’s 170–7 loss to tea, requiring 118 runs to avoid an innings defeat.

But Williams and Tiripano ensured that Zimbabwe did not lose a wicket in the final session as they added eight runs for the eighth wicket.

Williams led Rashid to his ninth boundary and helped him reach his century. He has so far batted 190 balls and hit nine fours and a six.

Tiripano, who survived some worrying moments against Rashid, scored an unbeaten 49 against Harare against New Zealand in 2016. He has so far hit 11 fours off 164 balls.

Without the loss of 24 runs, Zimbabwe lost the wickets of both the pre-lunch openers Prince Mesavur (15) and Kevin Kasuja (30) and took five wickets in the second session.

Fast bowler Saeed Shirzad removed talented batsman Wesley Madhevi for his third Duck in two Tests – a pair in this Test – Rashid came into his own.

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Rashid removed Sikandar Raza (22), Ryan Burl (naught) and Regis Chakwa (naught) at just two runs and left Zimbabwe for 142-7 off his eight balls.

But Williams, who scored a century against Sri Lanka in Harare in January last year, took the game to the final day in the first Test against Afghanistan here.