Imagine losing five wickets in just one hour of play. That’s exactly what happened to Afghanistan on Day 1 of their historic Test match against Zimbabwe. The Harare Sports Club witnessed cricket history as local hero Brad Evans tore through the tourists’ batting lineup.
Afghanistan’s Dramatic Batting Collapse
After winning the toss, Zimbabwe sent Afghanistan in to bat. The decision paid off immediately. Within the first hour, Afghanistan found themselves in deep trouble at 77/2. But what happened next shocked everyone watching.
Right-arm quick Brad Evans produced a magical spell of bowling. He ripped through Afghanistan’s middle order like a hot knife through butter. The tourists collapsed from 77/2 to 127 all out in just 21.3 overs.
Record-Breaking Bowling Performance
Brad Evans finished with figures of 5/37 – his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket. This made him only the third Zimbabwean bowler ever to take five wickets in a Test innings against Afghanistan. His bowling partner Blessing Muzarabani supported him brilliantly with 3/29.
| Bowler | Overs | Wickets | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Evans | 12.3 | 5 | 37 |
| Blessing Muzarabani | 11 | 3 | 29 |
Zimbabwe’s Strong Response
Zimbabwe came out to bat with confidence after their bowling success. Openers faced some early pressure but then came the partnership that put Zimbabwe ahead. Ben Curran (52*) and Nick Welch (49) added 97 runs for the second wicket.
By stumps, Zimbabwe reached 130/2 – already three runs ahead with eight wickets in hand. Curran looked solid at the crease, completing his half-century just before close of play.
Day 1 Scorecard Summary
- Afghanistan 1st innings: 127 all out (43.3 overs)
- Zimbabwe 1st innings: 130/2 (41 overs)
- Zimbabwe lead by 3 runs with 8 wickets remaining
What Happens Next?
Cricket fans can follow live updates through the India Today live blog. The full scorecard is available on Cricbuzz.
This match marks an important moment for both teams. Zimbabwe will try to build a big lead on Day 2. Afghanistan needs early wickets to stay in the game. With Zimbabwe already ahead, the pressure is firmly on the tourists.
Historic moment for Brad Evans as he becomes Zimbabwe’s newest five-wicket hero in Tests! 🇿🇼 #ZIMvAFG
The ESPNcricinfo commentary noted this was Afghanistan’s third-lowest Test total ever. Their batting troubles continue in the longest format of the game.
Bigger Picture For Afghan Cricket
This match comes at a challenging time for Afghanistan cricket. As reported by Hindustan Times, Afghanistan recently withdrew from a tri-series following tragic events involving their players. Their cricket team continues to show remarkable resilience despite these setbacks.
For Zimbabwe, this strong start could mark a turning point. After recent struggles in Test cricket, their young bowling attack has given them
