Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 1st Test Day 1: Sean Williams 145* and Craig Irvine 56* lead Zimbabwe to commanding total

Zimbabwe in commanding position on day 1

©ACB

By Cricket World

Thursday 26 December 2024

Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe

1st Test, Bulawayo

Toss delayed due to wet outfield

Zimbabwe586/10 & 142/4

Afghanistan699/10

Scorecard

Stats

**Sean Williams 145* and Craig Irvine 56* led Zimbabwe to a commanding 1st Innings total of 363/4 (85 ov), on Day 1 of the 1st Test, at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.**

Match Summary

Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan, 1st Test, Afghanistan tour of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe *363/4 (85 ov)

Afghanistan

Stumps : Day 1 - Zimbabwe elected to bat

SCORECARD

Match Analysis

Veteran middle-order batter Sean Williams was unbeaten on 145 as Zimbabwe posted 363 for four against Afghanistan on the first day of the first Test in Bulawayo on Thursday.

The 38-year-old needs seven more runs to overtake his Test career best -- an unbeaten 151 in a loss to Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi three years ago.

Making his 16th Test appearance, Williams came in at No. 4 after a 68 from debutant opener Ben Curran had lifted the home team to 92-2 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Playing in the southwestern city where he was born, Williams added 78 runs with Takudzwanashe Kaitano (46) for the third wicket and 50 with Dion Myers (27) for the fourth.

He then partnered captain Craig Ervine (56 not out) in a 143-run stand as the Zimbabwe batters finally came good after a string of low white-ball totals in recent series losses to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Left-hander Williams, who made his Test debut against the West Indies in 2013, struck three sixes and nine fours off 161 deliveries for his fifth century.

Ervine faced 94 balls and hit six fours in the first Boxing Day Test hosted by Zimbabwe since a rain-affected draw with England in Harare 28 years ago.

Curran, a son of deceased former Zimbabwe coach Kevin Curran and brother of England internationals Tom and Sam, included 11 fours in his 74-ball knock.

Opener Joylord Gumbie was the only Zimbabwean who failed to reach double figures. He was out for nine when caught by wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai off a delivery from medium pacer Naveed Zadran.

Teenage off spinner Allah Ghazanfar (2-83) was the most successful of the Afghan bowlers, taking the wickets of Curran and Myers.

But the tourists' attack was generally unimpressive. Too many deliveries were loose, they struggled with line and length, and were not helped by some sloppy fielding.

Both teams are seeking a first Test victory since defeating each other in the United Arab Emirates three years ago.

Fifth Test century for Sean Williams ??#ZIMvAFG #VisitZimbabwe ?? https://t.co/HCDfKNlkKl pic.twitter.com/sttqmkEA5T
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) December 26, 2024

Match Stats

Zimbabwe 1st Innings Fall of wickets: 1-43 (Joylord Gumbie - 9.3 ov), 2-92 (Ben Curran - 25.3 ov), 3-170 (Takudzwanashe Kaitano - 44.3 ov), 4-220 (Dion Myers - 55.2 ov)