Zimbabwe and Afghanistan will begin their first Test at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo this Boxing Day; for Zimbabwe this will mark its first Boxing Day Test since April 2001 and for Afghanistan since 1998.
Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi dominated Zimbabwe’s batting with consecutive double centuries, but the fielding let them down with several dropped catches and dropped catch chances.
In this article, we will discuss the main points or high lights of Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard.
Top Run-Scorers
| Rank | Player | Team | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan | 121* | 141 | 16 | 0 | 85.81 |
| 2 | Rahmat Shah | Afghanistan | 87 | 112 | 9 | 0 | 77.67 |
| 3 | Innocent Kaia | Zimbabwe | 63 | 74 | 6 | 1 | 85.14 |
| 4 | Ryan Burl | Zimbabwe | 51* | 61 | 2 | 1 | 83.61 |
| 5 | Sikandar Raza | Zimbabwe | 40 | 57 | 2 | 1 | 70.18 |
Note: Ibrahim Zadran remained not out, contributing significantly to Afghanistan’s successful chase.
Top Wicket-Takers
| Rank | Player | Team | Overs | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fareed Ahmad | Afghanistan | 10 | 56 | 3 | 5.60 |
| 2 | Mohammad Nabi | Afghanistan | 9 | 31 | 2 | 3.44 |
| 3 | Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | 10 | 56 | 2 | 5.60 |
| 4 | Fazalhaq Farooqi | Afghanistan | 8 | 34 | 2 | 4.25 |
| 5 | Donald Tiripano | Zimbabwe | 6 | 32 | 1 | 5.33 |
Note: Afghanistan’s bowlers played a crucial role in restricting Zimbabwe to a total of 228 runs.
Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan
Zimbabwe and Afghanistan’s match was anticipated to be an intense contest, and it certainly delivered on its promise. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi both hit double centuries for Afghanistan – marking a first in Test cricket history! With both batters out there in the middle, Zimbabwe found it increasingly difficult to score runs necessary to victory.
Rashid Khan was pivotal to Afghanistan’s last three Test victories and proved his credentials by taking 11 for 160 in Bulawayo. One notable highlight included taking his seventh wicket of the second innings off an off-cut that bounced twice before missing leg stump.
Zimbabwe recovered well after a slow start, reaching 142/4 thanks to an unbroken 54-run partnership between Sean Williams (35) and Craig Ervine (22). However, Zimbabwe were never able to close in on victory and were bowled out for only 127 in 30.1 overs by Naveen-ul-Haq and Allah Ghazanfar.
Afghanistan finally found victory when Allah Ghazanfar delivered an impressive short-pitched delivery that pitched off off and turned in sharply, striking Ervine by surprise as he attempted to sweep. When replay showed the umpire’s finger had actually appeared, Afghanistan players celebrated with great joy; now leading 2-0 and set for their next Test match starting Thursday in Bulawayo.
1st Test
Zimbabwe and Afghanistan’s first Test match concluded in an exciting draw, with both sides setting record totals and featuring several impressive innings from both teams. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi established an unprecedented third-wicket partnership of 364 runs – Afghanistan’s highest ever in Test cricket history! Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine made century before Sean Williams hit one for Zimbabwean while spinner Brian Bennett showed both ball and glove skills during this encounter.
As more rain is forecast for Monday, both teams must attempt to make an aggressive start to their second innings in order to create the best conditions possible for victory. Rahmat Shah currently sits on 231 not out and is only 22 runs shy of equalling his national best against Zimbabwe three years ago. Afsar Zazai remains unbeaten on 113 while Newman Nyamhuri and Zahir Khan have made major contributions as well.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers were well-disciplined throughout, while their fielding suffered due to several missed catches. If they want to prevent Afghanistan from running away with this match, Zimbabwe must improve in this area quickly.
2nd Test
Afghanistan and Zimbabwe battled it out at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo before ultimately drawing. Both teams enjoyed high scoring as they enjoyed batting paradise during this two-test series opener, with plenty of big hitters making centuries from both teams, led by Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai and wicketkeeper Brian Bennett all contributing. Brian Bennett made an immediate impression by hitting five fours during Afghanistan innings alone!
Zimbabwe openers Craig Ervine and Sean Williams established an impressive opening partnership, with Williams scoring an unbeaten 80-ball knock. However, after this initial start-off Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 456 in their first innings. Afghanistan openers Anamul Habib and Shadman Zahir Khan made an aggressive start, hitting Richard Ngarava for a boundary past point in just the third over to demonstrate their intent before Muzurabani had Anamul leg-before for 39.
Rain reduced the second Test match to 28 overs per side, giving Ben Curran and Newman Nyamhuri their debut in Zimbabwe while Afghanistan players Sediqullah Atal, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, and Azmatullah Omarzai also made their first-class debuts.
Givemore Makoni, Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director was delighted with the team’s performance and views it as an essential step toward realising their potential. He thanked both coaching staff and players for their efforts and support and extended thanks to fans for being such enthusiastic backers of Zimbabwe cricket.
3rd Test
Zimbabwe and Afghanistan produced some spectacular performances in their opening Test match at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. Afghanistan batted brilliantly, amassing 699 runs on day five thanks to Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah’s double centuries while Zimbabwean Brian Bennett took 5/95 in Afghan innings.
On Wednesday and Thursday, both teams will converge at the same venue for the second Test to put themselves in an advantageous position to win the series. Afghanistan are in great stead to achieve their first ever Test series win; having taken command of both T20I and ODI series by winning them respectively 2-1 and 2-0; whil Zimbabwe are out for revenge after having lost both preceding tests at home.
On the pitch, it seems likely that both teams will rely on batting as their key strategy. Queens Sports Club was unusually flat, providing no opportunity for bowlers. Instead, this should provide ample opportunities for batsmen like Craig Ervine and Sean Williams who are in form to shine on an ineffective surface.
Rahmat Shah strikes four! After taking an aggressive swing with an off-set drive, it races straight towards the fence for four runs.
Blessing Muzarabani dismisses Rahmat Shah by pitching a short ball that hits hard into him on the front foot and late front foot, forcing Rahmat Shah into trying to punch it through but accidentally getting an inside edge onto his pad and being caught at square leg.
4th Test
Zimbabwe and Afghanistan’s inaugural Test match concluded in Bulawayo in a draw, both sides showing impressive batting prowess. Zimbabwe scored 586 for their highest ever total while Afghanistan set an amazing 699 total led by Hashmatullah Shahidi’s record-breaking 246 and Rahmat Shah’s 234. Zimbabwean batsman Brian Bennett also stood out, taking career-best figures in both innings while making an unbeaten 110 with bat as Zimbabwe batted first and then fielded.
Both teams had opportunities to take a lead, but poor fielding let them down. Multiple catches were dropped – including one off Newman Nyamhuri at fine leg – which allowed Afghanistan to build an insurmountable lead.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers were disciplined while their fielding was careless, giving Afghanistan an advantage in both departments. For their home series against Afghanistan to be worthwhile, Zimbabwe will need to improve significantly in both areas of play.
Both teams are currently preparing to kickstart the next series of white-ball cricket with three T20Is at Queens Sports Club in Harare on Wednesday. Zimbabwe have appointed Craig Ervine as their captain, with an experienced squad consisting of Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava and Richard Ngarava. Afghanistan will be led by Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rashid Khan; Mujeeb Ur Rahman will join their ranks specifically on tour to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe and England will face off in five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) and two Test matches over this series, beginning with one held from 26 December until 30 December and the second Test from January 2-6 respectively. Both matches mark an historic moment for Zimbabwe who will host their first Boxing Day Test since 1988 and their inaugural New Year’s Test match respectively at home.