The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Ben Curran’s unbeaten half-century and Brad Evans’ five-wicket haul put Zimbabwe in control on the opening day of the one-off Test against Afghanistan at the Harare Sports Club on Monday.
Returning to Test cricket at home for the first time since
2021, Zimbabwe bowled out Afghanistan for 127 inside a session and a half
before closing on 130 for 2, taking a slender three-run lead at stumps.
Evans, playing his first Test since February 2023, produced
a fiery spell to claim 5-22, while seamer Blessing Muzarabani supported with
3-47 as Afghanistan collapsed, losing nine wickets for just 50 runs after a
promising start.
Afghanistan began brightly after being sent in to bat, with
openers Ibrahim Zadran and Abdul Malik finding early boundaries. Rahmanullah
Gurbaz added momentum with a quick 37 off 33 balls, but Zimbabwe’s seamers soon
found their rhythm. Muzarabani struck first, removing Ibrahim for 16, before
Evans ripped through the middle order, dismissing captain Hashmatullah Shahidi
and Afsar Zazai in quick succession.
After lunch, Muzarabani and Evans cleaned up the tail as
Afghanistan folded for 127.
In reply, Zimbabwe lost opener Brian Bennett early to Ziaur
Rahman for 7 but recovered through a steady 99-run stand between Curran and
Nick Welch. Curran reached his fifty off 108 balls, anchoring the innings with
patience and control, while Welch contributed a fluent 49 before being bowled
by Ziaur late in the day.
Bad light brought an early close, with Zimbabwe 130 for 2 —
Curran unbeaten on 52 alongside Brendan Taylor on 14 not out.
The hosts will resume on Tuesday with an opportunity to
build on their first-innings advantage and press for a commanding position in
the match.
