Zimbabwe (ZIM) has started Afghanistan’s (AFG) home tour on their soil with a massive statement, securing a commanding victory in the one-off Test match. Zimbabwe team absolutely crushed the visitors, winning by an enormous margin of an innings and 73 runs in Harare.
The match concluded inside three days, a showcase of Zimbabwe’s overwhelming performance across all departments.
The match began poorly for Afghanistan, who won the toss but were immediately put on the back foot. In their first innings, the visitors struggled against a disciplined bowling attack and were bundled out for just 127 runs.
The star with the ball was ZIM’s fast-medium bowler, Brad Evans, who claimed outstanding figures of 5 wickets for 22 runs. Wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the top scorer with a run-a-ball 37, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to cope with the pace and swing.
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In reply, ZIM team capitalized fully on the low first-innings score, posting a hefty total of 359. This established a dominant first-innings lead of 232 runs. The innings was defined by a brilliant, maiden Test century from opener Ben Curran, who scored a patient and crucial 121.
He received excellent support from the experienced all-rounder Sikandar Raza who contributed a quick-fire 65. For Afghanistan, the only bowler to find significant success was Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, who managed a remarkable haul of 7 wickets for 97 runs.
Starting their second innings with a monumental target, Afghanistan’s batsmen once again failed to rise to the occasion. They were bowled out for 159, barely managing to make the hosts bat again.
Opener Ibrahim Zadran showed some fight with 42, but the batting crumbled around him. The wickets were shared, but left-arm quick Richard Ngarava led the charge, finishing with brilliant figures of 5 wickets for 37 runs. This led to victory for Zimbabwe.
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With the Test match finished Afghanistan will need a rapid change in techniques as they prepare for the remainder of the tour. The focus now immediately switches to the much-anticipated 3-match T20I series. The Afghanistan players must find a way to switch gears and execute their plans in the shorter format if they are to salvage anything from this tour.