Boxing Day Test between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan and Bulawayo ended in a high-scoring drawboth teams display their batting prowess. Zimbabwe posted a huge total of 586 in the first innings. Sean Williams, Craig Ervine and Brian Bennett. Afghanistan responded with a monumental 699 from two centuries Hashemtullah Shahidi and a bright tattoo Rehmat Shah. Shortly before the final day, Zimbabwe reached 142/4 in their second innings to ensure a stalemate.
Zimbabwe set the tone with a mammoth first innings
Zimbabwe’s first innings was a masterclass in composure and strategic play. Williams led the attack with 154 off 174 balls supported by Ervine’s patient 104. The duo’s 200-run partnership laid the foundation for Zimbabwe’s total of 586. Bennett added a quick-fire 110, eventually speeding up the scores. led by Afghanistan’s bowlers Allah Ghazanfar struggled to contain Zimbabwe’s batting by three wickets. Naveed Zadran and Zahir Khan chipped in with two wickets each but couldn’t prevent the hosts from amassing a substantial total. On Day 1 of the game, Zimbabwe had already made their intentions known. The second day saw Afghanistan begin to respond cautiously, reaching 95/2 at stumps, building a formidable partnership with Rahmat and Shahidi.
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The highest order of Afghanistan prevails: Rehmat Shah and Hashemtullah Shahidi
Afghanistan’s response was based on the historic partnership between Rahmat and Shahidi. Rahmat’s marathon 234 and Shahidi’s masterful 246 were the cornerstones of Afghanistan’s total of 699. Their partnership of 364 for the third wicket frustrated the Zimbabwean bowlers. Officer Zazai contributed a crucial 113, adding depth to the innings. Despite a valiant effort, the Zimbabwean bowlers, led by Bennett’s five-wicket haul, could not prevent Afghanistan from taking the lead. By the fourth day, Afghanistan had consolidated their lead, but with no time left for the result to take effect, the match was destined for a draw.
Highest individual score for Afghanistan in Test cricket 🏏
246: Hashmatullah Shahidi vs Zimbabwe, 2024
234: Rehmat Shah v Zimbabwe, 2024#cricket #ZIMvAFG #Hashmetullah Shahidi #RahmetShah pic.twitter.com/CkIZoe19z0
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 30, 2024
Zimbabwe are forced to draw
Zimbabwe’s second innings began with a mix of caution and aggression as they aimed to erase Afghanistan’s slim lead. Joylord Gumbie (24) and Ben Curran (41) provided a stable start but fast gates Zahir Khan and Ghazanfar threatened to divert his shots. However, Williams (35 not out) and Ervine (22 not out) steadied the chase to take Zimbabwe to 142/4 before stumps. A disciplined effort by Afghanistan’s bowlers was not enough to ensure progress as Zimbabwe successfully completed the final session. The match ended in a hard-fought draw, with both teams taking valuable positives from a game that highlighted their batting depth and solidity.
The match is a draw! 🚨
The first test match between the teams of Zimbabwe and Afghanistan was held. 👍#AfghanAtalan | #ZIMvAFG | #Famous NationVictory Team pic.twitter.com/JLd5QKuzWe
– Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) December 30, 2024
