Ben Curran’s Half-Century Propels Zimbabwe to Lead After Evans Dismantles Afghanistan Stars

Zimbabwe showcased a strong performance on the first day of the Test match against Afghanistan at Harare Sports Club, marking its return to Test cricket since 2021. Led by Ben Curran’s impressive half-century, Zimbabwe finished the day at 130 for 2, taking a narrow lead of just three runs after bowling out Afghanistan for 127 runs.

Zimbabwe’s Bowling Dominance

Choosing to bowl first proved beneficial for Zimbabwe. They restricted Afghanistan to 127 within just one and a half sessions. The Afghan batsmen struggled against the seamers, with Blessing Muzarabani leading the charge with figures of 3 for 47 and Richard Ngarava, returning to the Test squad, adding pressure after an initial adjustment period.

Key Performers from Afghanistan

• Rahmanullah Gurbaz: Top-scored with 37 runs.
• Hashmatullah Shahidi: Contributed 30 runs before a run-out incident.
• Ziaur Rahman: Impressive with the ball, taking 2 for 35.

Zimbabwe’s Batting Response

After dismissing Afghanistan, Zimbabwe’s response was steady. While Brian Bennett departed early, Curran anchored the innings. He played methodically, navigating the challenging bowling with careful shot selection.

Curran and Welch Build a Partnership

Curran’s half-century came off 108 balls, showcasing resilience at the crease. His partnership with Nick Welch, who added 49 runs, built Zimbabwe’s innings after an initial shaky start. The pair worked steadily through the Afghan bowling attack, particularly focusing on rotundity and patience.

Match Summary

With the day’s play concluding early due to bad light, Zimbabwe is in a promising position. The lead established with Curran and Welch’s solid batting lays a strong foundation for the following days of play.