ZIM VS AFG 1ST TEST

1st Test, Bulawayo, December 26, 2024, 01:30 PM

586/10(135.2ov) & 142/4(34.0ov)
699/10(197.0ov)

Zimbabwe drew with Afghanistan

Win Projections to be updated soon
Probable Playing XI
Zimbabwe: Ben Curran, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Dion Myers, Craig Ervine(c), Sean Williams, Brian Bennett, Brandon Mavuta, Joylord Gumbie†, Newman Nyamhuri, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu.

Afghanistan: Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Shahidullah Kamal, Afsar Zazai†, Naveed Zadran, AM Ghazanfar, Zia-ur-Rehman, Zahir Khan.
RECENT PERFORMANCE
  • D
    Zimbabwe drew with Afghanistan
  • L
    IRE Won By 4 wickets
  • L
    WI Won By an Innings and 4 runs
  • D
    Zimbabwe drew with West Indies
  • L
    BAN Won By 220 runs
  • D
    Zimbabwe drew with Afghanistan
  • L
    IRE Won By 6 wickets
  • L
    SL Won By 10 wickets
  • L
    BAN Won By 546 runs
  • W
    AFG Won By 6 wickets
PLAYER PERFORMANCE

Batsmen

Craig Ervine
Craig Ervine

BAT SR: 0 | BAT AVG: 0

None
Dion Myers
Dion Myers

BAT SR: 0 | BAT AVG: 0

None
Brian Bennett
Brian Bennett

BAT SR: 0 | BAT AVG: 0

None
Takudzwanashe Kaitano
Takudzwanashe Kaitano

BAT SR: 0 | BAT AVG: 0

None
Ben Curran
Ben Curran

BAT SR: 0 | BAT AVG: 0

None

Bowlers

Ben Curran
Blessing Muzarabani

BOWL SR: 0 | BOWL AVG: 0

None
Ben Curran
Newman Nyamhuri

BOWL SR: 0 | BOWL AVG: 0

None
Ben Curran
Trevor Gwandu

BOWL SR: 0 | BOWL AVG: 0

None

Batsmen

Hashmatullah Shahidi
Hashmatullah Shahidi

BAT SR: 0 | BAT AVG: 0

None
Abdul Malik
Abdul Malik

BAT SR: 0 | BAT AVG: 0

None
Sediqullah Atal
Sediqullah Atal

BAT SR: 0 | BAT AVG: 0

None

Bowlers

Sediqullah Atal
Zahir Khan

BOWL SR: 0 | BOWL AVG: 0

None
Sediqullah Atal
Naveed Zadran

BOWL SR: 0 | BOWL AVG: 0

None
Sediqullah Atal
Zia-ur-Rehman

BOWL SR: 0 | BOWL AVG: 0

None
Sediqullah Atal
AM Ghazanfar

BOWL SR: 0 | BOWL AVG: 0

None
Man of the Match
Hashmatullah Shahidi
Commentry
That’s it from this Test then! We dearly hope we have an even contest between bat and ball in the second Test which begins on the 2nd of January (0800 GMT). The build up though begins a lot earlier. Until then, goodbye and take care!
Craig Ervine says the openers gave them a good start! Adds Curran set the platform with the way he played. Adds they needed to be patient and pick the deliveries to score on. Adds Muzarabani was really good, mentions the bowlers controlled the game really well and credit to them for not letting them get ahead. Ends by saying they’ll see where to improve, they have a few days of rest and they’re looking forward for the next game.
Hashmatullah Shahidi wins the PLAYER OF THE MATCH AWARD! He says it means a lot to do such a special thing for his country. Tells the players give their 100%! He and Rahmat Shah played well. Shares he was looking for a result on the last day but the rain came in and changed things. Mentions the pitch was flat and the ball was coming nicely, his bowlers weren't consistent but they did well today. Ends by appreciating the knock from Rahmat Shah.
...Presentation...
Afghanistan had around 34 overs to have a go and try and force a result. They did manage to get a few wickets but Zimbabwe ensured there were no surprises and managed to bag a draw. Zahir Khan was up for the task but the draw was inevitable eventually. If it hadn't rain on Day 4we could have see a result in this match.
In reply, the Afghanistan openers did not do a lot but their number 3,4 and 5 batted brilliantly. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi put up a record breaking stand of over 350 with both scoring double tons. Afsar Zazai too made most of the conditions and scored a ton. Courtesy of the three, Afghanistan took a lead of over 100. If Afghanistan bowlers toiled hard earlier, it was the hosts bowlers turn to do the same job for the next couple of days.
A game dominated by the batters right from Day 1. It was Zimbabwe first who made most of the conditions by posting close to 600. They had three centurions, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine and Brian Bennett. Sean Williams took the headlines as he notched 150 and set the tone for the  humongous total.
The umpires called for drinks but have reversed their decision, to be honest, there is not much left to play! The captains have agreed to end the match. IT ENDS IN DRAW! Finally, the bowlers had a say in this Test! Maybe, just maybe, if we could have got more action on Day 4, Afghanistan could have forced a result. Nevertheless, the game ends in a draw.
In over# 34
4
2
4
0
0
0
Zahir Khan 43/2(10)
33.6
4
FOUR! Outside off and it stays low. Williams hammers it down the ground and it races to the fence.
33.5
2
On middle, Williams nudges it to deep square leg for a couple of runs.
33.4
4
FOUR! Tad short and on middle, Williams pulls it to deep square leg for a boundary.
33.3
.
Too short and outside off, Williams thinks to play it but then leaves it alone.
33.2
.
Fuller ball, outside off, Williams defends with soft hands to the slip cordon.
33.1
.
Flat and on off, Williams blocks it out.
In over# 33
1
1
1
1
0
0
Zia-ur-Rehman 28/0(9)
32.6
1
On middle,  Williams works it to long on for one more.
32.5
1
Full and on middle, Ervine turns it to mid-wicket for a single.
32.4
1
Shorter and on middle, Williams pulls it to square leg for a single.
32.3
1
Full and on off, Ervine pushes it to long off for a single.