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Zimbabwe 287 (Raza 85, Masvaure 65*, Rashid 4-138, Rashid 3-73) and 266 for 7 (Williams 106*, Tiripano 63*) lead Afghanistan 545 for 4 dec (Shahidi 200*, Afghan 164, Zadran 72, Jamal 55*) by 8 runs
Abu Dhabi: Skipper Sean Williams and Donald Tiripano shared a crucial century stand as Zimbabwe finished day four on 266/7, with a lead of eight runs.
Zimbabwe were forced to follow-on after being dismissed for 287 in the first innings on the previous day. They resumed day four on 24/0, with openers Kevin Kasuza and Prince Masvaure at the crease.
The opening duo seemed to be in good touch adding 20 runs to the existing total. Their promising stand came to an end as Masvaure returned a full toss straight to Javed Ahmadi. Rashid Khan in the very next over, struck to send back Kasuza for 30.
Skipper Sean Williams joined Tarisai Musakanda in the middle and the duo managed to stitch together an important 55-run second-wicket stand.
It was Rashid again who brought an end to the solid partnership, dismissing Muskanda lbw with his trademark googly. Wesley Madhevere failed to make an impact as he fell prey to Sayed Shirzad for a duck in the very next over.
Sikandar Raza looked to replicate his first innings performance, as he, alongside Williams, built a brief 38-run partnership before falling to to Rashid in the 61st over.
Rashid continued to pose problems for Zimbabwe as he picked up two more wickets, completing his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Captain Williams showcased his resilience as he continued to reduce the deficit for Zimbabwe. Williams found the support of Donald Tripano as they combined for a partnership of 124 runs spanning 43 overs troubling the Afghanistan bowling attack.
Zimbabwe have their work cut out for day 5, they will have to be wary of Rashid’s threat if they want to put up a defendable score
