[MATCH THREAD] 2nd Test Afghanistan v Zimbabwe @Abu Dhabi

[jward]

My squad for the test series against Pakistan

1) Kasuza
2) Masvaure
3) Ervine
4) BT
5) Williams
6) Raza
7) Musakanda
8) PJ Moor ( if fit )
9) Don Tiripano ( Mavuta if the pitch assists the spinners )
10) Muzarabani
11) Nyauchi

Yes, PJ Moor is fit, and he was not happy to be left out of this tour on the pretext of a short-lived minor strain.

[Jemisi]

Can Donald Tiripano make the team as a middle order batsman? He is yet again showing the determination and grit that makes him a forum favourite. And remember Tiripano has scored more Logan Cup runs than the supposed real "The Don" Donald Bradman ever did.

I think he can play at no 8 in an 8-3 scenario. He does seem to know what is required whilst batting and bowling even if execution is beyond him. That makes him a more able cricketer than many.

[sloandog]

Yea but John can you honestly say he had knocked the door down for selection? PJ is probably my number 1 after BT, but he didn't perform in the recent games

[Kriterion_BD]

Really class innings from Williams. He has really upped his game the past several years. Really after the 2015 WC. He’s got to be at least equal to Taylor in the pantheon now.

[zimbos_05]

At 32, would it be too late to turn Don in to a 5th-7th place batter who doubles up as a 4th bowling option. He has had it in him, although he's averages suggest otherwise.

What him and Sean showed is that there are runs to be scored if you apply yourself. Unfortunately, none of the other guys learnt that from the 1st innings and i'm fully believing that no one in the coaching staff picked up on anything and had a word.

[CrimsonAvenger]

Tatenda Taibu went on record saying Tiripano will finish with multiple FC hundreds against his name or some such thing. Hope this is his chance to get his 3rd, and first in tests. Surely, he can be in the XI at 7 or 8 instead of the failed pretenders with 3 full time bowlers after him? What a wonderful character! True Zimbo grit.

While Burl and Wes have disappointed, Tari and KK have done OK but nowhere near what was expected of them either. Seniors Regis and Prince have not risen to the occasion as well, as well as Raza except for the first innings knock. Williams has had too much to do himself. Reminds me of that series where Zimbos participated in the SA domestic competition around 2009 and Williams was the only one doing any scoring of runs (that fateful series where we got the name "Chevrons").

So, Ervine and Taylor can walk in. The perennial question is can Moor replace Chakabva? The former's keeping skills are definitely inferior. Chakabva has been solid with the gloves but continues to frustrate with the bat. Should have played at 5 this series and taken more responsibility. Moor has the grit but can he be trusted to not miss catches and stumpings?

[zimbos_05]

The WK solution is easily solved with Murray, but that doesn't seem to be happening for whatever reason, so we will just have to choose one or the other, and for me, I'd rather have a reliable batsman. Regis did miss a few in the first test which were pretty straight forward.

[jaybro]

I agree with the sentiments that the younger guys have disappointed by not taking their chances, Burl & Wes especially who have 5 ducks in 6 innings between them!!!! Obviously Wes will bounce back, he's too good not to, but it feels like we've been waiting for ever for Burl to become a good international player, he's turning 27 and has Maruma like career numbers. If he wants to be an international cricketer he needs to start taking his chances.

Tari played some good shots but some of his swipes across the line make me cringe, real Sunday league stuff. Ervine & BT will obviously walk back into this side, PJ Moor needs some runs before he can make claim again. That's the thing with guys like Burl & Moor, it feels as of they think they're entitled to a spot without doing much for it. I'd really like to see them put in a full season of Logan Cup and top the run charts, guys like Maruma & Prince get hammered when they're selected, but they're always scoring runs to earn their spots.

Prince & Kasuza have done pretty well this series, they're average mid 20's which is acceptable for Zimbabwe, Kasuza especially looks like he could be a really good player, also looks like he will be a frustrating player who gets out playing nothing shots once set.

The Don always pulls out a good batting performance when his bowling has been shite, he really is an enigma the Don, a bowler picked for his batting. He has done a great job, had some luck but you get that, I hope he goes on and makes a 100, the Afghanistan bowling attack looks really tired, I can't believe they enforced the follow-on when they only picked 3 front line bowlers.

If Zimbabwe can some how get a lead of 150, and bat into the 2nd session, it could be an interesting final few hours. If only Burl & Wes made some runs in either innings it would have been a different story.

[tgk]

How do Afghanistan appeal for a ball that's clearly had an impact outside leg with no shame

[Zimco]

I've never seen a leggie bowl this many overs as rachid has. They really need another bowl. Not good to overbowl him like this