Zadran, Fareed give Afghanistan edge

Afghanistan 275 for 5 (Zadran 98*) and 105 lead Zimbabwe A 165 (Jongwe 58, Fareed 5-54, Ahmadzai 5-58) by 215 runs
Scorecard

Five-wicket hauls from the seamers Yamin Ahmadzai and Fareed Ahmad, followed by an unbeaten 98 from Najibullah Zadran helped Afghanistan wrest the advantage on the second day in Harare.

Zimbabwe A, who began the day at 135 for 6 with a slender lead of 30, were quickly bundled out in the morning inside seven overs. Luke Jongwe, who began with an overnight score of 50, was able to add only 8 to his innings before he was dismissed by Fareed in the 42nd over. Fareed also accounted for John Nyumbu in the same over before bowling out Tendai Chatara in his next. Ahmadzai then removed the last batsman Michael Chinouya to ensure that Zimbabwe A's lead was kept to a paltry 60.

Afghanistan's openers Karim Sadiq (38) and Najeeb Tarakai (51) quickly wiped away that deficit by adding 93 in 22 overs. However, both batsmen were dismissed in successive overs, and further blows from Chinouya and Tatenda Manatsa left the visitors precariously placed at 152 for 5.

Zadran, however, counterattacked with 12 fours and three sixes during his 100-ball knock. He added an unbroken 123 for the sixth wicket with Fazal Niazai to take the team to 275 for 5 at stumps.