Zimbabwe Takes Charge on Day 1 as Afghanistan Struggles to Keep Up
Zimbabwe made a strong start in the one-off Test against Afghanistan, dominating Day 1. The match took place at Harare, where the Zimbabwean bowlers excelled on a lively pitch.
Zimbabwe’s Bowling Masterclass
Zimbabwe opted to bowl first, a decision that paid off handsomely. They dismissed Afghanistan for a mere 127 runs in just over a session and a half. Brad Evans led the charge with a remarkable five-wicket haul, recording career-best figures of 5 for 36.
Afghanistan began their innings positively, with Ibrahim Zadran and Abdul Malik scoring quickly. Zadran managed to hit three boundaries off Richard Ngarava. However, Blessing Muzarabani’s rise to the occasion saw Zadran edge to slip in the sixth over.
Afghanistan’s Collapse
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz provided some resistance with 32 runs, but was soon dismissed by Chivanga.
- A mix-up between Malik and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi resulted in Malik being run out for 30 runs.
- Evans then dismantled Afghanistan’s batting order, taking two wickets in one over before lunch, including Shahidi and Afsar Zazai.
From a promising score of 77 for 1, Afghanistan crumbled to 102 for 5, losing nine wickets for just 50 runs. Muzarabani added to the chaos with two swift wickets after the break.
Zimbabwe’s Response
In response, Zimbabwe’s batting started cautiously. Brian Bennett fell early to Ziaur Rahman, but Ben Curran and debutant Nick Welch steadied the innings. The partnership allowed Zimbabwe to reach safety before the tea break.
- Welch scored 45 runs but was eventually bowled by Ziaur.
- Curran displayed impressive resilience, reaching his half-century off 108 balls.
Brendan Taylor, making his return to Test cricket, looked calm alongside Curran. As bad light set in, play was called off, leaving Zimbabwe in a strong position, having built a first-innings lead with eight wickets still intact.
Conclusion
As Day 1 concluded, Zimbabwe’s tactical decision to bowl first proved effective. They left Afghanistan struggling to regain momentum, setting the stage for the remainder of the Test. With a solid lead and solid performances, Zimbabwe looks to maintain their advantage in the coming days.
