Zimbabwe make history on second day of first Test against Afghanistan

By SABC Sport
27th December 2024

Zimbabwe recorded their highest ever total in Test cricket after piling up 586 all out against Afghanistan before reducing the Asian side to 95-2 at stumps on the second day at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Experienced middle-order batter Sean Williams struck 154, captain Craig Ervine scored 104 while Brian Bennet powered to an unbeaten 110 as the African country beat their previous best total of 563-9 against the West Indies in Harare in 2001.

The hosts started the second day in a commanding position, with 363 runs on the board and only four wickets down with Williams (145) and Ervine (56) at the crease.

Williams soon reached the 150-run milestone and went on to surpass his previous highest Test score of 151 not out, also achieved against Afghanistan.

The left-handed batter added 163 with his skipper before perishing to Naveed Zadran having faced 174 deliveries, striking three sixes and 10 fours.

Ervine then brought up his fourth Test century but it wasn't long after that he fell, edging behind after facing 176 deliveries that included 10 fours.

After Brandon Mavuta fell for a duck, Newman Nyamhuri then joined Bennett at the crease and the pair added 41 as the latter reached a maiden Test fifty.

Debutant Nyamhuri, after a cautious start, contributed a brisk 26 before edging a catch to the keeper.

Number 10 Blessing Muzarabani scored a handy 19 in a 42-run partnership with Bennett, who was on 74 when the lanky fast bowler departed with the total on 584-9.

Last batter in Trevor Gwandu played a supporting role as Bennett launched a calculated assault and when on 96 smashed back-to-back sixes off Zadran to reach a superb century in style.

Gwandu was dismissed shortly afterwards for three, attempting a big hit off spinner AM Ghazanfar, bringing Zimbabwe's innings to a close at 586.

Afghanistan's batting innings got off to a rocky start when Sediqullah Atal was bowled by Gwandu in the second over for three.

Abdul Malik and Rahmat Shah added 61 for the second wicket but Malik misjudged the bounce of a short ball from Muzarabani and was caught at fine leg by Ben Curran for 23, leaving Afghanistan at 64-2.

Visiting captain Hashmatullah Shahidi then steadied the ship to be unbeaten on 16 while Shah remained defiant for 49 not out when bad light brought an early end to proceedings on day two.