Zimbabwe Hold Afghanistan to a Draw in a High-Scoring Thriller
Scorecard:
- Zimbabwe: 142/4 (Curran 41, Williams 35*, Zahir 2-43) & 586 (Williams 154, Bennett 110*, Ervine 104, Ghazanfar 3-127)
- Afghanistan: 699 (Shahidi 246, Rahmat 234, Zazai 113, Bennett 5-95)
The Boxing Day Test in Bulawayo between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan may not have matched the glamour of Melbourne or Centurion, but it delivered its share of drama on the final day, culminating in a high-scoring draw. Despite a middle-order collapse and a spirited effort from Afghanistan’s spinners, Zimbabwe’s experienced duo of Sean Williams and Craig Ervine steered their team to safety.
Afghanistan Dominate with Record-Breaking Batting Performances
Afghanistan set the tone with a massive first-innings total of 699, their highest in Test cricket. Hashmatullah Shahidi starred with a career-best 246, supported by Rahmat Shah (234) and Afsar Zazai, who scored his maiden Test century (113).
Zimbabwe’s spinners, led by Brian Bennett (5-95), provided late fireworks as Afghanistan lost six wickets for 20 runs while chasing quick runs. Bennett’s five-for included two hat-trick chances, showcasing his ability to extract turn from a lifeless pitch.
Zimbabwe’s Strong Reply
In response, Zimbabwe compiled an impressive 586, thanks to standout performances from Sean Williams (154), Craig Ervine (104), and Bennett (110*). The match seemed destined for a draw, but a late-afternoon collapse in Zimbabwe’s second innings reignited hopes of a result.
Final-Day Drama
Set to bat out the final session, Zimbabwe faced early trouble, collapsing to 88/4 after a rain break. Ben Curran (41) fell to a mix-up that led to a run-out, while Dion Myers was bowled by a beauty from Ghazanfar. Afghanistan, smelling a dramatic victory, tightened the screws, with spinners Zahir Khan and Ghazanfar exploiting the footmarks.
However, Williams and Ervine, showing immense composure, added 54 runs in quick time, wiping out the deficit and taking the lead. Their partnership ensured Zimbabwe crossed Afghanistan’s score, and the game ended in a draw.
Key Moments and Performances
- Shahidi’s 246 and Rahmat’s 234: A monumental batting effort to set a massive first-innings total.
- Bennett’s All-Round Show: A century and a five-wicket haul highlighted the youngster’s potential.
- Rain and Resilience: The rain break shifted momentum momentarily, but Zimbabwe’s experienced batters stood firm.
Series Stalemate
The drawn match left the two-match series tied at 0-0, showcasing competitive cricket between the two nations. Zimbabwe will be pleased with their resilience, while Afghanistan will rue missed chances to clinch victory on the final day.
