Leg-spinner Rashid Khan took six wickets in a row to put Afghanistan on the verge of victory in the series-deciding second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Sunday.
Zimbabwe were 205-8 in their second innings at stumps on day four 72 runs off their target heading into the final day of a seesaw contest at Queens Sports Club.
Rashid, who took 4-94 in the first innings, finished the day with 6-66 in the second.
A star of T20 cricket but playing in only his sixth Test, it was Rashid's fifth five-wicket haul, the third time he has taken 10 wickets in a match.
Ismat Alam, playing in his first Test, struck 101 to propel the tourists to 363 all out in their second innings and a lead of 276.
Sikandar Raza and captain Craig Ervine put on 58 for the fifth wicket to leave Zimbabwe on 157-5 when Rashid dealt a massive blow to the home team.
Raza tried to loft a short delivery from the 26-year-old spinner and Shahidullah Kamal took a simple catch at silly mid-off. The all-rounder departed for 38 from 83 balls.
Rashid had already removed Dion Myers and followed Raza's dsmissal by bowling Sean Williams and Brian Bennett in the space of three balls.
{{/usCountry}}Rashid had already removed Dion Myers and followed Raza's dsmissal by bowling Sean Williams and Brian Bennett in the space of three balls.
{{/usCountry}}Williams, who has been battling a back injury, departed after mistiming an attempted sweep and Bennett failed to cope with a ball which pitched on middle and straightened enough to fly past the edge and rattle the stumps.
Zimbabwe's hopes on Monday will rest on 39-year-old Ervine who was unbeaten on 53 at stumps, having struck a six and four fours off 97 deliveries.
Earlier, Alam atoned for a first-innings duck with a century before pulling a shot to mid-wicket where Takudzwanashe Kaitano took the catch. His 181-ball innings included nine fours.
Alam was among the victims of Blessing Muzarabani and fellow Zimbabwe quick Richard Ngarava also enjoyed success.
Zimbabwe and Afghanistan are both chasing a first Test victory since beating each other in Abu Dhabi four years ago.
Brief scores
Afghanistan 157 and 363 in 113.5 overs v Zimbabwe 243 and 205-8 in 66 overs
Match situation: Zimbabwe need 73 runs to win with two wickets standing
Toss: Zimbabwe
str/bsp
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