Muzarabani takes three as Afghanistan trail Zimbabwe by 180 in second Test

Blessing Muzarabani took three wickets as Zimbabwe ended day two of the second Test in the UAE on top, with Afghanistan 159 for 6 from 48 overs, 180 runs behind with four wickets in hand.

Taylor's century sets the platform

Zimbabwe resumed their first innings and were bowled out for 339 in 114.5 overs. Brendan Taylor was the main source of runs, passing a hundred before he fell leg before to Maroofkhil.

The two sources differ on the detail of his knock. Cricket World says he reached three figures from 171 deliveries, while BBC Sport's scorecard has him out for 119 from 217 balls, including 14 fours and a six.

Maroofkhil leads Afghanistan's attack

Afghanistan's Naseer Khan Maroofkhil was the standout bowler, finishing with 7 for 151 from 44 overs, 12 of them maidens. He took seven of Zimbabwe's ten wickets, including Taylor's.

Cricket World spells his name Maroof Khail, but both sources give the same figures.

Muzarabani strikes back

Cricket World reports that Muzarabani led Zimbabwe's bowling with three wickets.

Afghanistan made a poor start to their reply. Two wickets fell inside the first ten overs, leaving them 27 for 2. They reached 50 in 16.4 overs and were 54 for 2 at tea, with Hashmatullah Shahidi on 13 and Rahmanullah Zadran on 21.

Afghanistan later passed 100, but lost further wickets before the close.

What it means

The Test is scheduled for five days, from 13 to 17 November. The sources do not give the result of the first Test or the state of the series.

Afghanistan must cut the deficit on day three with four wickets left. Zimbabwe will look to finish off the innings quickly and extend their lead.