A match that promised so much ended in a tame draw as Afghanistan was set an unlikely 374 runs for victory on the final day of its ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Zimbabwe XI at Mutare.

In the end, the Afghans scored 211-4 before the captains shook hands to acknowledge the stalemate and the end of the game. Although it didn’t manage to win the game outright, Afghanistan will take great confidence from the match as it heads to the Netherlands later this week for another ICC Intercontinental Cup match and two ODIs.

Nowroz Mangal’s team will take nine points compared to Zimbabwe XI’s three from the match because it was ahead after the first innings and, were it not for the contribution of Tatenda Taibu, the Africans would have been in serious trouble.

The former Test captain made a total of 292 runs in the match to make sure Zimbabwe XI did not lose the match while on day four his efforts were backed up by Trevor Garwe (117) and Chris Mpofu, who was left not out on 30 by the time the declaration came with nine wickets down and the match effectively saved.

It was a particularly successful game for Afghanistan opener Noor Ali who followed up his first-innings knock of 130 with another century (off just 81 balls) the second time around.