The second Check between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan at Bulawayo started with Zimbabwe asserting dominance on a day stuffed with bowling brilliance. After electing to discipline first, Zimbabwe’s bowlers exploited the circumstances completely, bundling Afghanistan out for a below-par 157 on Day 1. The visiting batters struggled to search out rhythm, with none managing a rating past 25. Tight traces and relentless strain ensured wickets fell at common intervals, leaving Afghanistan reeling. Zimbabwe’s openers then safely navigated the difficult ultimate three overs, reaching 6/0 at stumps and trailing by 151 runs.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers led by Sikandar Raza dominate Afghanistan
The Zimbabwean bowling assault delivered a masterclass in self-discipline and execution. Richard Ngarava was unplayable with figures of 1/18 in 12 overs, suffocating the Afghan batters along with his precision. Blessing Muzarabani supplied essential breakthroughs, claiming 2/56, together with the important thing scalp of Shahidullah. Sikandar Raza’s off-spin (3/30) was the standout, dismantling Afghanistan’s center order with flip and refined variations. Newman Nyamhuri (3/42) shone within the later phases, expertly cleansing up the tail. The collective effort restricted Afghanistan to a mere 157, as Zimbabwe’s bowlers labored in tandem to use each lapse in focus from the opposition.
Afghanistan’s batting woes proceed
Afghanistan’s innings was marred by an incapacity to construct significant partnerships. Openers Abdul Malik (17) and Riaz Hassan (12) made begins however couldn’t convert them, whereas Rahmat Shah (19) and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (13) fell to mushy dismissals. Afsar Zazai and Shahidullah tried to stabilize the innings with transient contributions, however none might stand up to Zimbabwe’s relentless assault. Rashid Khan’s counterattacking 25 off 20 balls supplied a late spark, however it wasn’t sufficient to rescue the innings. Frequent collapses and lack of software underlined Afghanistan’s struggles as they have been bowled out in simply 44.3 overs, squandering any probability of a aggressive whole.
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Zimbabwe’s regular begin in reply
Zimbabwe’s openers, Joylord Gumbie (4 not out) and Ben Curran (1 not out), confirmed composure beneath the fading mild, making certain no early setbacks of their reply. Going through three probing overs from Afghanistan’s bowlers, they rigorously negotiated deliveries from Rashid, Fareed Ahmad and Yamin Ahmadzai. Although runs got here slowly, the duo’s focus was on preserving wickets. Zimbabwe’s batting depth, with skilled campaigners like Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza ready within the wings, units them up for a dominant place on Day 2. The hosts will look to capitalize on this stable begin and pile on the runs to take full management of the match.
Good bowling show by Zimbabwe as they bowl out Afghanistan for 157 on Day 1 of the inaugural New Yr’s Check.#ZIMvAFG #VisitZimbabwe 📝https://t.co/HdHfDCXyud pic.twitter.com/JqxnzfFVKr
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) January 2, 2025
